both by sea and
land.

44. On the other side, Mago, the Carthaginian general, perceiving that
a siege was being prepared for both by sea and land, himself also
disposed his forces thus: he placed two thousand of the townsmen to
oppose the enemy, on the side facing the Roman camp; he occupied the
citadel with five hundred soldiers, and stationed five hundred on a
rising ground, facing the east; the rest of his troops he ordered,
intent on every thing that occurred, to hasten with assistance
wherever the shout, or any sudden emergency, might call them. Then,
throwing open the gate, he sent out those he had drawn up in the
street leading to the camp of the enemy. The Romans, according to the
direction of their general, retired a little, in order that they might
be nearer to the reserved troops which were to be sent to their
assistance during the engagement. At first they stood with pretty
equal force, but afterwards the reserved troops, sent from time to
time from the camp, not only obliged the enemy to turn their backs,
but followed them up so close when flying in disorder, that had not a
retreat been sounded, they seemed as though they would have rushed
into the city together with the fugitives. The consternation in the
field was not greater than in every part of the city; many of the
outposts were abandoned in panic and flight; and the walls were
deserted, as they leaped down each in the part nearest him. Scipio,
who had gone out to an eminence called Mercury's hill, perceiving that
the walls were abandoned by their defenders in many parts, ordered all
his men to be called out of his camp and advance to take the city, and
orders them to bring the scaling-ladders. The general himself, covered
by the shields of three stout young men, (for now an immense number of
missiles of every description were let fly from the walls,) came up to
the city, cheered them on, and gave the requisite orders; and, what
was of the utmost importance in exciting the courage of his men, he
appeared among them a witness and spectator of the valour or cowardice
of each. Accordingly, they rushed forward, amidst wounds and weapons;
nor could the walls, or the armed troops which stood upon them, repel
them from eagerly mounting them. At the same time an attack was
commenced by the fleet upon that part of the city which was washed by
the sea. But here the alarm occasioned was greater than the force
which could be employed; for while they were bringi