Quote Originally Posted by FLYdude
Verginius, I suspected you would bring the sacking up. For you I have but a single question: are we not better than they? And to address your issue of defending Africa, an attacking force that takes a certain ground against a particular enemy should always be able to defend that ground from the same enemy. It is easier to defend than to attack. Since I don't plan to overextend, the invading force should be available for defense of the newly acquired territories. I don't see where you see the need for additional troops.
Better than they? The comparison cannot even be made, Senator. Does your compassion spare the life of a wolf that has attacked your flock? Do you tread carefully on the streets for fear of destroying an insect? Every Gaul is either a potential killer or the potential breeder of a killer. To dismiss this is to ignore reality. The Punic people are civilized merchants. They can be negotiated with. They can be bargained with. The Gauls are wolves on two legs.

As for the lack of troops for Africa... do you not realize that the Punic provinces are devoid of strategic choke points at which we may concentrate our forces? How shall you prevent an army from taking any of the unwalled cities that you conquer or do you only plan on limiting your acquisitions to Carthago and Hadrumentum?

If you want wealth from Africa, make peace with Carthage. Trade with Carthage. We started this war, we took their lands, we enslaved their peoples. They have more than paid for the unlawful executions they committed. You seek to take Carthaginian territories out of a lust for conquest and power. I seek to supply Rome with the necessities of domestic development and to destroy an enemy that cannot be reasoned with.