apprehension, was aggravated rather
than excused by the vice of intoxication. In the navigation
from the Hellespont to the Peloponnesus, which the Greeks
after the siege of Troy had performed in four days, the
fleet of Belisarius was guided in their course by his
master-galley, conspicuous in the day by the redness of the
sails, and in the night by torches blazing from the
masthead. It was the duty of the pilots as they steered
between the islands and turned the capes of Malea and
Taenarium to preserve the just order and regular intervals of
such a multitude. As the wind was fair and moderate, their
labours were not unsuccessful, and the troops were safely
disembarked at Methone, on the Messenian coast, to repose
themselves for a while after the fatigues of the sea....
From the port of Methone the pilots steered along the
western coast of Peloponnesus, as far as the island of
Zacynthus, or Zante, before they undertook the voyage (in
their eyes a most arduous voyage) of one hundred leagues
over the Ionian sea. As the fleet was surprised by a calm,
sixteen days were consumed in the slow navigation.... At
length the harbour of Caucana, on the southern side of
Sicily, afforded a secure and hospitable shelter....
Belisarius determined to hasten his operations, and his wise
impatience was seconded by the winds. The fleet lost sight
of Sicily, passed before the island of Malta, discovered the
capes of Africa, ran along the coast with a strong gale from
the north-east, and finally cast anchor at the promontory of
Caput Vada, about five days journey to the south of
Carthage....

"Three months after their departure from Constantinople, the
men and the horses, the arms and the military stores were
safely disembarked, and five soldiers were left as a guard
on each of the ships, which were disposed in the form of a
semicircle. The remainder of the troops occupied a camp on
the seashore, which they fortified, according to ancient
discipline, with a ditch and rampart, and the discovery of a
source of fresh water, while it allayed the thirst, excited
the superstitious confidence of the Romans.... The small
town of Sullecte, one day's journey from the camp, had the
honour of being foremost to open her gates and resume her
ancient allegi