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brought to him； he walked aside； and drew him into conversation； and
after putting a variety of questions to him； and receiving answers
from him； he ordered his officers to take him away and put him to
death。 But we must not be too credulous in the case of narratives told
by Oppius； especially when he undertakes to relate anything touching
the friends or foes of Caesar。 This is certain； that there lay a
necessity upon Pompey to be severe upon many of Sylla's enemies； those
at least that were eminent persons in themselves； and notoriously
known to be taken； but for the rest； he acted with all the clemency
possible for him； conniving at the concealment of some； and himself
being the instrument in the escape of others。 So in the case of the
Himeraeans； for when Pompey had determined on severely punishing their
city； as they had been abettors of the enemy； Sthenis； the leader of
the people there； craving liberty of speech； told him that what he was
about to do was not at all consistent with justice； for that he
would pass by the guilty and destroy the innocent； and on Pompey
demanding who that guilty person was that would assume the offences of
them all； Sthenis replied it was himself； who had engaged his
friends by persuasion to what they had done； and his enemies by force；
whereupon Pompey； being much taken with the frank speech and noble
spirit of the man； first forgave his crime； and then pardoned all
the rest of the Himeraeans。 Hearing； likewise； that his soldiers
were very disorderly in their march； doing violence upon the roads； he
ordered their swords to be sealed up in their scabbards； and whosoever
kept them not so were severely punished。
Whilst Pompey was thus busy in the affairs and government of Sicily；
he received a decree of the senate； and a commission from Sylla；
commanding him forthwith to sail into Africa； and make war upon
Domitius with all his forces： for Domitius had rallied up a far
greater army than Marius had had not long since； when he sailed out of
Africa into Italy； and caused a revolution in Rome； and himself； of
a fugitive outlaw； became a tyrant。 Pompey； therefore； having prepared
everything with the utmost speed； left Memmius； his sister's
husband； governor of Sicily； and set sail with one hundred and
twenty galleys； and eight hundred other vessels laden with provisions；
money； ammunition； and engines of battery。 He arrived with his
fleet； part at the port of Utica； part at Carthage； and no sooner
was he landed； but seven thousand of the enemy revolted and came
over to him； while his own forces that he brought with him consisted
of six entire legions。 Here they tell us of a pleasant incident that
happened to him at his first arrival。
Some of his soldiers having by accident stumbled upon a treasure； by
which they got a good sum of money； the rest of the army hearing this；
began to fancy that the field was full of gold and silver； which had
been hid there of old by the Carthaginians in the time of their
calamities； and thereupon fell to work； so that the army was useless
to Pompey for many days； being totally engaged in digging for the
fancied treasure； he himself all the while walking up and down only；
and laughing to see so many thousands together； digging and turning up
the earth。 Until at last； growing weary and hopeless； they came to
themselves and returned to their general； begging him to lead them
where he pleased； for that they had already received the punishment of
their folly。
By this time Domitius had prepared himself and drawn out his army in
array against Pompey； but there was a watercourse betwixt them；
craggy； and difficult to pass over； and this； together with a great
storm of wind and rain pouring down even from break of day； seemed
to leave but little possibility of their coming together； so that
Domitius； not expecting any engagement that day； commanded his
forces to draw off and retire to the camp。 Now Pompey； who was
watchful upon every occasion； making use of the opportunity； ordered a
march forthwith； and having passed over the torrent； fell in
immediately upon their quarters。 The enemy was in great disorder and
tumult； and in that confusion attempted a resistance； but they neither
were all there； nor supported one another； besides； the wind having
veered about beat the rain full in their faces。 Neither indeed was the
storm less troublesome to the Romans； for that they could not
clearly discern one another； insomuch that even Pompey himself；
being unknown； escaped narrowly； for when one of his soldiers demanded
of him the word of battle； it happened that he was somewhat slow in
his answer； which might have cost him his life。
The enemy being routed with a great slaughter （for it is said that
of twenty thousand there escaped but three thousand）； the army saluted
Pompey by the name of Imperator； but he declined if； telling them that
he could not by any means accept of that title as long as he saw the
camp of the enemy standing； but if they designed to make him worthy of
the honour； they must first demolish that。 The soldiers on hearing
this went at once and made an assault upon the works and trenches； and
there Pompey fought without his helmet； in memory of his former
danger； and to avoid the like。 The camp was thus taken by storm； and
among the rest Domitius was slain。 After that overthrow； the cities of
the country thereabouts were all either secured by surrender； or taken
by storm。 King Iarbas； likewise； a confederate and auxiliary of
Domitius； was taken prisoner； and his kingdom was given to Hiempsal。
Pompey could not rest here； but being ambitious to follow the good
fortune and use the valour of his army； entered Numidia； and
marching forward many days' journey up into the country； he
conquered all where…ever he came。 And having revived the terror of the
Roman power； which was now almost obliterated among the barbarous
nations； he said likewise； that the wild beasts of Africa ought not to
be left without some experience of the courage and success of the
Romans； and therefore he bestowed some few days in hunting lions and
elephants。 And it is said that it was not above the space of forty
days at the utmost in which he gave a total overthrow to the enemy；
reduced Africa； and established the affairs of the kings and
kingdoms of all that country； being then in the twenty…fourth year
of his age。
When Pompey returned back to the city of Utica； there were presented
to him letters and orders from Sylla； commanding him to disband the
rest of his army； and himself with one legion only to wait there the
coming of another general； to succeed him in the government。 This；
inwardly； was extremely grievous to Pompey； though he made no show
of it。 But the army resented it openly； and when Pompey besought
them to depart and go home before him； they began to revile Sylla； and
declared broadly that they were resolved not to forsake him； neither
did they think it safe for him to trust the tyrant。 Pompey at first
endeavoured to appease and pacify them by fair speeches； but when he
saw that his persuasions were vain； he left the bench； and retired
to his tent with tears in his eyes。 Bu