It was war. Rome's Consuls went to the people said the gods called the public to pay for the war. Casting lots, Cornelius was to lead the Spanish front and Sempronius was to lead Africa and Sicily. Six legions were decreed for that year, and as great a fleet as could be equipped. Sixty-four thousand infantry were levied from Rome and its allies and over five thousand horses. Two hundred and twenty ships of three banks of oars, and twenty light galleys, were launched. Fewer troops were given to Cornelius since a large Roman force already existed in Gaul under the praetor Manlius: two Roman legions, ten thousand allied infantry, one thousand allied cavalry, and six hundred Roman cavalry.

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