When they appeared, the Consuls declared that the Senate did not wish
to encroach upon the freedom of the people, but only desired some
security; for this purpose it demanded that, within thirty days, three
hundred children of the noblest families should be delivered into
their hands as hostages. This demand was met. The Romans then coolly
crossed over to Africa, and informed the Carthaginians that they were
ready to treat with them on any question not previously settled.

When the ambassadors again appeared before the Consuls, they were told
that Carthage must deliver over all her arms and artillery; for, they
said, as Rome was able to protect her, there was no need of Carthage
possessing arms. Hard as was this command, it was obeyed. They were
then told that Carthage had indeed shown her good will, but that Rome
had no control over the city so long as it was fortified. The
preservation of peace, therefore, required that the people should quit
the city, give up their navy, and build a new town without walls at a
distance of ten miles from the sea. The indignation and fury which
this demand excited were intense. The gates were instantly closed, and
all the Romans and Italians who happened to be within the city were
massacred.

The Romans, who expected to find a defenceless population, imagined
that the storming of the place would be an easy matter. But despair
had suggested to the Carthaginians means of defence in every
direction. All assaults were repelled. Everybody was engaged day and
night in the manufacture of arms. Nothing can be more heartrending
than this last struggle of despair. Every man and every woman labored
to the uttermost for the defence of the city with a furious
enthusiasm.