The first treaty between
Rome and
Carthage was made
in the year of Lucius Junius Brutus and Marcus
Horatius, the first Consuls appointed after the
expulsion of the kings, by which men also
the temple of Jupiter Capitolinus was consecrated. This was
twenty-eight years before the invasion of
Greece
by Xerxes.
The first treaty, B. C. 509-508. |
Of this treaty I append a translation, as accurate as I could make it,—for the
fact is that the ancient language differs so much from that at
present in use, that the best scholars among the Romans themselves have great difficulty in interpreting some points in it,
even after much study. The treaty is as follows:—
"There shall be friendship between the Romans and their
allies, and the Carthaginians and their allies, on these conditions:
"Neither the Romans nor their allies are to sail beyond
the Fair Promontory, unless driven by stress of weather or the
fear of enemies. If any one of them be driven ashore he
shall not buy or take aught for himself save what is needful
for the repair of his ship and the service of the gods, and he
shall depart within five days.
"Men landing for traffic shall strike no bargain save in the
presence of a herald or town-clerk. Whatever is sold in the
presence of these, let the price be secured to the seller on the
credit of the state—that is to say, if such sale be in
Libya or
Sardinia.
"If any Roman comes to the Carthaginian province in
Sicily he shall enjoy all rights enjoyed by others. The Carthaginians shall do no injury to the people of
Ardea,
Antium,
Laurentium,
Circeii,
Tarracina, nor any other people of the
Latins that are subject to
Rome.
"From those townships even which are not subject to
Rome1 they shall hold their hands; and if they take one shall
deliver it unharmed to the Romans. They shall build no fort
in
Latium; and if they enter the district in arms, they shall not
stay a night therein."