The opening of the novel sets a vivid scene at a grand feast in the gardens of Hamilkar, where mercenaries celebrate their past victories and the current turmoil in Carthage. Soldiers of various backgrounds indulge in excessive revelry, reflecting a mix of camaraderie and underlying tension. As the festivities unfold, resentment towards the city emerges due to unpaid wages, leading to potential conflict. The presence of Salambo introduces a mysterious and divine quality to the proceedings, hinting at further complications as her beauty catches the attention of a horde of soldiers, ultimately foreshadowing the intertwining fates of the characters amidst the chaos of their struggles. (This is an automatically generated summary.)