Titus Livius (Livy), The History of Rome, Book 30
Frank Gardener Moore, Professor Emeritus in Columbia University, Ed.

3. Having completed these tasks the consuls and praetors set out for their provinces. All of them, however, turned their attention to Africa, just as though that had been allotted to them, either because they saw it was there that the main issue and the [p. 375]outcome of the war were centred, or in order to show¹ Scipio favour, on whom the eyes of all the citizens were then fixed. [2] Accordingly not only from Sardinia, as has been said above, but also from Sicily and Spain clothing and grain were being transported thither, and arms as well and supplies of every kind from Sicily. [3] And at no time in the winter had Scipio lessened his military operations, which were many and all around him at the same time. He was besieging Utica;² the camp of Hasdrubal could be seen; the Carthaginians had launched their ships; they kept their fleet ready and equipped, in order to intercept supplies. [4] In the midst of all this he had also not forgotten his effort to recover the support of Syphax, in case by that time, after much indulgence, satiety might have overtaken him in his love for his wife. [5] From Syphax came rather terms of peace with the Carthaginians under which the Romans should withdraw from Africa, the Carthaginians from Italy, than any hope that in the event of war he would change sides.³ [6] That these dealings went on through messengers⁴ I am more inclined to believe —and for this a majority of the historians vouch —than that Syphax came in person into the Roman camp for a conference, as Valerius Antias relates. At first the Roman general scarcely listened to such terms. [7] Later, that his men might have a plausible reason for visiting the enemy's camp, he was less firm in rejecting the same offers, and encouraged [p. 377]the hope that, if they repeatedly discussed the matter⁵ from both sides, agreement would be reached.

The winter quarters of the Carthaginians, being constructed of building material gathered at random from the farms, were almost entirely of wood.⁶ [8] In particular the Numidians were dwelling in huts of plaited reeds, [9??] most of them under thatched roofs, and scattered without a plan, some of their number even outside the fosse and earthwork —the natural result of seizing upon a site without waiting for orders. [10] This was reported to Scipio and had inspired the hope of setting fire to the camp of the enemy when opportunity should offer.