She denied the beneficence of her waters, she had abandoned Carthage; she was a deserter, an enemy.
Some threw stones at her to insult her.

But many pitied her while they inveighed against her; she was still beloved, and perhaps more deeply than she had been.
All their misfortunes came, therefore, from the loss of the zaimph.
Salammbo had indirectly participated in it; she was included in the same ill will; she must be punished.

A vague idea of immolation spread among the people.

To appease the Baalim it was without doubt necessary to offer them something of incalculable worth, a being handsome, young, virgin, of old family, a descendant of the gods, a human star.

Every day the gardens of Megara were invaded by strange men; the slaves, trembling on their own account, dared not resist them.