Page:Frontinus - The stratagems, and, the aqueducts of Rome (Bennet et al 1925).djvu/269

 STRATAGEMS, III. vi. 1-4

VI. On Distracting the Attention of a Hostile Garrison

When Hannibal had returned to Africa, many towns were still held by strong forces of the Car- thaginians. Scipio's policy demanded that these towns should be reduced. Accordingly he often sent troops to assault them. Finally he would appear before the towns as though bent on sacking them, and would then retire, feigning fear. Hanni- bal, thinking his alarm real, withdrew the garrison from all points, and began to follow, as though determined to fight a decisive battle. Scipio, having thus accomplished what he intended, with the assistance of Masinissa and the Xumidians, captured the towns, which had thus been stripped of their defenders.^

Publius Cornelius Scipio, appreciating the difficulty of capturing Delminus, because it was defended by the concerted efforts of the population of the district, began to assault other towns. Then, when the inhabitants of the various towns had been called back to defend their homes, Scipio took Delminus, which had been left without support.^

Pyrrhus, king of Epirus, in his war against the Illyrians, aimed to reduce their capital, but despair- ing of this, began to attack the other towns, and succeeded in making the enemy disperse to protect their other cities, since they had confidence in the apparently adequate fortification of the capital. When he had accomplished this, he recalled his own forces and captured the town, now left without defenders.^

The consul Cornelius Rufinus for some time be-

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