it was so rich were conveyed by Marcellus to Rome. From this time
(212) the city became a part of the province of Sicily and the head-
quarters of the Roman Governor.


THE CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN.

PUBLIUS CORNELIUS SCIPIO, with his brother, GNAEUS CORNELIUS SCIPIO
CALVUS, were winning victories over the Carthaginians under HANNO and
HASDRUBAL. The greatest of these was fought in 215 at Ibera, the
location of which is uncertain. Spain was gradually being gained over
to Rome, when the Carthaginians, making desperate efforts, sent large
reinforcements there (212). The armies of the Scipios were separated,
surprised, and overwhelmed. Both their leaders were slain, and Spain
was lost to Rome.

Unless checked, the Carthaginians would now cross the Alps, enter
Italy, and, joining forces with Hannibal, place Rome in great danger.
PUBLIUS CORNELIUS SCIPIO, son of one of the slain generals, then but
twenty-four years of age, offered to go to Spain and take command. He
had previously made himself very popular as Aedile, and was
unanimously elected to the command. On his arrival in Spain in 210, he
found the whole country west of the Ebro under the enemy's control.

Fortunately for the Romans, the three Carthaginian generals, HASDRUBAL
and MAGO, brothers of Hannibal, and HASDRUBAL, son of Gisco, did not
act in harmony. Thus Scipio was enabled, in the following spring
(209), to capture Carthago Nova, the head-quarters of the enemy. A
good harbor was gained, and eighteen ships of war, sixty-three
transports, $600,000, and 10,000 captives fell into the hands of the