Phoenician colonies like Carthage, they were self-governing, and always had clauses inserted in the treaties concluded by the Republic to distinguish them from the latter.

Nevertheless they respected this strong sister of theirs who protected them, and they did not think that she could be vanquished by a mass of Barbarians; these would on the contrary be themselves exterminated.

They desired to remain neutral and to live at peace.
But their position rendered them indispensable.

Utica, at the foot of the gulf, was convenient for bringing assistance to Carthage from without.

If Utica alone were taken, Hippo-Zarytus, six hours further distant along the coast, would take its place, and the metropolis, being revictualled in this way, would be impregnable.
Spendius wished the siege to be undertaken immediately.