A source-book of ancient history - The Search For Mecca

CHAPTER XXXI
THE EARLY REPUBLIC: (II) ROME BECOMES
SUPREME IN ITALY
I. Treaty with Carthage and with the Latins
The first treaty between Rome and Carthage was made First treaty
Rome and
the first consuls elected after the expulsion of the kings. Carthage,
'^^
° 509 B.C.
in the year of Lucius Junius Brutus and Marcus Horatius,
Of this treaty I append a translation as accurate as I could ^Polybius 111.
make it, for the fact is that the ancient language differs so 22.
much from that at present in use that the best scholars Rome, 39.
among the Romans themselves have great difiiculty in
interpreting some points in the document.
"Between the Romans and their allies, and the Cartha-
(The early
ginians and their allies, there shall be peace and alliance treaty has
upon the following terms :-
doTed "ye"t
"Neither the Romans nor their allies shall sail beyond without
. .
sufficient
the Fair Promontory, unless driven by bad weather or by grounds.
an enemy. And in case any one of them be driven ashore, ontory is on
the northern
he shall not buy'
or take aught for himself save what is
°
_
coast of
needful for the repair of
^
_
his
_
ship and the service of the Africa, near
gods, and he shall depart within five days.
"Merchants landing for traffic in Sardinia or in Libya
shall strike no bargain except in the presence of a herald or
a town clerk; and the credit of the state shall be a security
to the merchant for whatever he shall sell in the presence of
this officer.
"If any Roman lands in
the Carthaginian province in
Sicily, he shall enjoy all the rights enjoyed by others.
361