Masinissa Appeals To Cirta

Author: * Arminius Terentius - 55 Posts on this thread out of 1,528 Posts sitewide.
Date: May 16, 2008 - 18:36

Masinissa watched as the third day of the bombardment of Cirta drew to a close...it was getting too dark for decent aiming. Smoke from a few fires had been seen during the day, and at tonight, he could see an orange glow from fires which seemed to be coming from the lower city.

Very few people had given themselves up as the Romans had asked, and the defenders answered with their own missiles as well as they could, but inflicted no real damage on the besieging forces.

Despite the fact that this was his capital being attacked, Masinissa could gather only abstract sympathy. He had done his best to rule well, not being too heavy on taxation or his demands on the people...but some elements just didn't want to see that Rome was a new power in the world, and must be dealt with.

Early the next morning, King Masinissa spoke with Marcus Lepidus.

"I accept your offer to rebuild Sitifis...but it must not be known that you have paid for it--it is Rome that my people resent--if I am to be seen as merciful, then they must think that I do this.

"Let me give a message to the people of Cirta before we begin another assault. I don't know if it will matter, but it might...."

King Masinissa stood on a part of the siege works where he could be plainly seen, but out of range of enemy missiles. The heralds signalled and soon some dignitaries appeared on the nearby city wall.

"Mago! People of Cirta! It gives me great pain to see you suffer this way! I ask you to give up this revolt and return to your status as loyal citizens of Numidia!

"I know that a certain foreign agitator has stirred you up with false promises and bribery...but you must now know that Sitifis has fallen, and that yours is the only remaining force! You can see that the Romans will not just go away and leave you to yourselves...they will take the city in the end, and much burning and killing will be done which can be avoided!

"I call upon you to surrender--I will see that no reprisals are taken, so long as the rebels give themselves up and turn over their weapons. No more families need to suffer, and no more destruction is planned if you only open the gates to my forces...."

It was then that an inspiration struck the king.

"If you do this, I will promise you that no Roman soldier will set foot within Cirta's walls...you will be in the hands of your Numidian brothers!

"My people, I urge you to take this last chance, and give yourselves the only chance to come out of this alive and well! Don't let the lies of the foreigner Mago lead you down the path of death!"

Masinissa glanced to his side, where he hoped to see approval on Consul Lepidus' features.

"If this works, Marcus Aemilius, you can be back in Rome for the elections after all!"