Page:Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography Volume II.djvu/929

 SARDINIA. in the island. (Id. xix. 1.) The chronology of Justin does not claim much confidence; but it seems pmbable that in this instance it is not far from cor- rect, and that we may place the Carthaginian con- quest about 500 — 480 b. c. It can hardly have taken place much earlier, as the Ionian Greeks still looked upon the island as open to colonisation in the reign of Darius Hysta.spis. Of the details and circumstances of the Cartha- ginian conquest we have no account; but we are told in general terms that they made themselves masters of the whole island, with the exception of the rugged mountain districts which were held by the Ilienses and Corsi. (Pans. x. 17. §9; Pol. i. 10.) They founded many towns, and from their superior civilisation struck such deep root into the country, that even in the time of Cicero the man- ners, character, and institutions of the Sardinians were still essentially Punic. It even appears tiiat a considerable part of the population was of Punic origin, though this was doubtless confined to the towns and the more settled districts in their imme- diate neighbourhood. (Cic. 7;?'o Scaur. §§ 15, 42, 45.) But notwithstanding these clear evidences of the extent of the Carthaginian influence, we have scarcely any account of the long period of above two centuries and a half, during which they continued masters of all the more important portions of the island. An isolated notice occurs in b. C. 379 of a great revolt in Sardinia, the inhabitants of which took advantage of a pestilence that had afflicted the Car- thaginians, and made a vigorous effort to shake off their yoke, but without success. (Diod. xv. 24.) We learn also that already at this period Sardinia was able to export large quantities of corn, with which it supplied the fleets and armies of Carthage. (Diod. xiv. 63, 77.) The story current among the Greeks, of the Carthaginians having systematically discouraged agriculture in the island (Pseud. Arist. de Mirah. 104), is therefore, in all probability, with- out foundation. During the First Punic War (b. c. 259) L. Cornelius Scipio, after the conquest of Aleria in Corsica, directed his course to Sardinia, where he defeated the Carthaginian fleet near Olbia, but did not venture to attack that city. (Zonar. viii. 11.) Having, however, received reinforcements from Kome, he landed in the island, totally defeated the Carthaginian general Hanno, and took the city of Olbia, as well as several minor towns. The next year C. Sulpicius followed up this advantage, and ravaged the greater part of the island, apparently with little opposition. (Zonar, viii. 11. 12; Pol. i. 24; Oros. iv. 7, 8; Flor. ii. 2. § 16; Val. JIax. v. l-§2.) No real footing was, however, gained by the Eo- mans in Sardinia during the First Punic War; and the peace which put a close to that contest left the island subject to Carthage as before. But a few years afterwards the Carthauinian mercenaries in Saniinia fcillowed the example of their brethren in Africa, and raised the standard of revolt ; they were indeed overpowered by tlie natives, and driven out of the island, but their cause was espoused by the Ilo- nians, wlio undertook to restore them, and threatened the Carthaginians with war if they attempted the restoration of their own dominion in Sardinia. The latter were exhausted with the long and fierce con- test with their mercenary troops in Africa, and were in no condition to resist. They consequently sub- mitted to the demands of the Pomans, and agreed by treaty to abandon all claims to Sardinia, b. c. SARDINIA. 909 238. (Pol. i. 79, 88; Appian, Pun. 5; Liv. xxi. 1.) But the Carthaginians could cede no more than they pos,sessed, and the whole island was at this time in the hands of the natives. Its subjuga- tion was not effected by the Romans till after several campaigns; and though in B.C. 235 T. Manlius Torquatus triumphed over the Sardinians, and is said to have reduced the whole island to subjection (Eutrop. iii. 3; Oros. iv. 12; Veil. Pat. ii. 38; Fast. Capit.), it is clear that this statement must be understood with considerable limitation, as the consuls of the two succeeding years, Sp. Carvilius and Pomponius Matho, were still able to earn the distinction of a triumph "de Sardis." (^Fast. Capit.) The conquest of the island was now considered complete; and it was reduced to the condition of a province, to which a praetor was annually sent. Corsica was soon after annexed to his jurisdiction. But it is certain that the wilder mountain tribes of the interior, though they may have tendered a nominal submission, were not really subdued, and continued long after to molest the settled parts of the island by their depredations, as well as to find employment for the arms of the praetor by occa- sional outbreaks of a more serious description. During the Second Punic War, Sardinia was natu- rally watched with considerable jealou.sy, lest the Carthaginians should attempt to regain possession of what they had so long held. But the war which broke out there in b. c. 215, under a native chief named Hampsicora, is attributed by the Eoman writers themselves in great measure to the severity of taxation and the exactions of their governors. T. Manlius Torquatus, the same who as consul had already triumphed over the Sardinians, was ap- pointed to quell this insurrection. He defeated the Sardinians under Hiostus, the son of Hampsicora, in the neighbourhood of Cornus: but the arrival of a Carthaginian force under Hasdrubal gave fresh spirit to the insurgents, and the combined armies advanced to the very gates of Caralis. Here, how- ever, they were met by Torquatus in a pitched battle and totally defeated. Hasdrubal was taken prisoner, Hiostus slain in the battle, and Hampsi- cora in despair put an end to his own life. The remains of the defeated army took refuge in the fortress of Cornus; but this was soon reduced by Manlius, and the other towns of Sardinia one after the other made their submission. (Liv. xxiii. 32, 40,41.) From this time we hear no more of any general wars in Sardinia; and the large supplies of corn which tlie island began to furnish to Rome and to the armies in Italy (Liv. xxv. 22, xxx. 24) sufficiently prove that a considerable part of it at least was in the peaceable possession of the Roman authorities. The mountain tribes were, however, still unsubdued ; and in n. c. 181 the Ilienses and Balari broke out into afresh insurrection, which assumed so formidable a cha- racter that the consul Tib. Sempronius Gracchus was expressly sent to Sardinia to carry on the war. He defeated the insurgents with heavy lo.s.s, and fol- lowed up his victory with such vigour that he mt to the sword or took prisoners not less than 80,( 00 persons. (Liv. xl. 19, 34, xli. 6, 12, 17, 28.) The number of captives brought to Rome on this occasion was so great that it is said to h.ive given rise to the proverb of " Sardi venales " for anything that was cheap and worthless. (Vict. I'ir. III. 65.) Another serious outbreak occurred in Sardinia as late as B. c. 114, to repress which M. Caecilius Lletellus was