those who suffered such
harsh treatment alienated from him, but also of the other states, for
the warning affected a greater number than did the calamity. Nor did
the Roman consul fail to sound the inclinations of the cities,
whenever any prospect of success presented itself. Dasius and Blasius
were the principal men in Salapia, Dasius was the friend of Hannibal,
Blasius, as far as he could do it with safety, promoted the Roman
interest, and, by means of secret messengers, had given Marcellus
hopes of having the place betrayed to him, but the business could not
be accomplished without the assistance of Dasius. After much and long
hesitation and even then more for the want of a better plan than from
any hope of success, he addressed himself to Dasius; but he, being
both adverse to the measure and also hostile to his rival in the
government, discovered the affair to Hannibal. Both parties were
summoned, and while Hannibal was transacting some business on his
tribunal, intending presently to take cognizance of the case of
Blasius, and the accuser and the accused were standing apart from the
crowd, which was put back, Blasius solicited Dasius on the subject of
surrendering the city; when he exclaimed, as if the case were now
clearly proved, that he was being treated with about the betrayal of
the city, even before the eyes of Hannibal. The more audacious the
proceeding was, the less probable did it appear to Hannibal and those
who were present. They considered that the charge was undoubtedly a
matter of rivalry and animosity, and that it had been brought because
it was of such a nature that, not admitting of being proved by
witnesses, it could the more easily be fabricated. Accordingly the
parties were dismissed. But Blasius, notwithstanding, desisted not
from his bold undertaking, till by continually harping upon the same
subject, and proving how conducive such a measure would be to
themselves and their country, he carried his point that the Punic
garrison, consisting of five hundred Numidians, and Salapia, should be
delivered up to Marcellus. Nor could it be betrayed without much
bloodshed, consisting of the bravest of the cavalry in the whole Punic
army. Accordingly, though the event was unexpected, and their horses
were of no use to them in the city, yet hastily taking arms, during
the confusion, they endeavoured to force their way out; and not being
able to escape, they fell fighting to the last, not more than fifty of