1After the struggle had long been in the balance, and the Saguntines' spirits had risen because they were holding out beyond their hopes, while the Carthaginian, because he had not won, was as good as beaten, the townspeople suddenly raise a shout and drive the enemy back into the ruins of the wall, then thrust them out from there, hampered and panicking, and finally drive them, routed and in flight, back into their camp. 2Meanwhile it was announced that envoys had come from Rome; 3men were sent by Hannibal to meet them at the sea, to say that they would not approach safely amid the arms of so many utterly unbridled peoples, and that Hannibal, at so critical a moment, had no time to listen to embassies.
4It was clear that, if they were not admitted, they would go straight to Carthage. 4So he sends letters and messengers ahead to the leaders of the Barcine faction, to prepare the minds of their supporters, so that the other party could not do anything to please the Roman people.