A Macedonian corps under Sopater, and a consignment of Celtiberian mercenaries, were immediately expected.
Scipio Driven Back to the Coast Surprise of the Carthaginian Camp On the report of Scipio's landing, Massinissa immediately arrived in the camp of the general, whom not long before he had confronted as an enemy in Spain; but the landless prince brought in the first instance nothing beyond his personal ability to the aid of the Romans, and the Libyans, although heartily weary of levies and tribute, had acquired too bitter experience in similar cases to declare at once for the invaders.

So Scipio began the campaign.

So long as he was only opposed by the weaker Carthaginian army, he had the advantage, and was enabled after some successful cavalry skirmishes to proceed to the siege of Utica; but when Syphax arrived, according to report with 50,000 infantry and 10,000 cavalry, the siege had to be raised, and a fortified naval camp had to be constructed for the winter on a promontory, which easily admitted of entrenchment, between Utica and Carthage.

Here the Roman general passed the winter of 550-1.

From the disagreeable situation in which the spring found him he extricated himself by a fortunate -coup de main-.