Knowing you shouldn't leave your homeland exposed, you decide to secure the Carthage and the African territory with a
garrison of 13,850 Spanish infantry furnished with ox-hide
bucklers, and 870 Balearic slingers, with a composite body of 1200
cavalry drawn from numerous tribes. In place of the garrison you request troops from Africa, a
light-armed force consisting mainly of slingers. By thus transferring
Africans to Spain and Spaniards to Africa, the soldiers of each
nationality would be expected to render more efficient service, as being
practically under reciprocal obligations. At the same time recruiting
officers were sent to various communities; some 4000 men of good family
were called up who were under orders to be conveyed to Carthage to
strengthen its defence, and also to serve as hostages for the loyalty of
their people so that you can maintain popular opinion.