tion which the signal exploits of Hamilcar and Asdrubal had given it; and declared openly for war. When therefore Asdrubal's demand came to be debated in the senate, Hanno represented the danger of sending so early into the field, a young man who had all the haughtiness and imperious temper of his father; and who ought therefore rather to be kept a long time, and very carefully, under the eye of the magistrates, and the power of the laws, that he might learn obedience, and a modesty which should teach him not to think himself superior to all other men. He concluded with saying, that he feared this spark which was then kindling would one day rise to a conflagration. His remonstrances were not heard, so that the Barcinian faction had the superiority, and Hannibal set out for Spain. The moment of his arrival there, he drew upon him. self the eyes of the whole army, who fancied they saw Hamilcar his father survive in him. He seemed to dart the same fire from his eyes; the same martial vigor displayed itself in the air of his countenance, with the same features and engaging carriage. But his personal qualities endeared him still more. He possessed almost every talent that constitutes the great man. His patience in labour was invincible, his temperance was surprising, his courage in the greatest dangers intrepid, and his presence of mind in the heat of battle admirable; and, a still more wonderful circumstance, his disposition and cast of mind were so flexible, that nature had formed him equally for commanding or obeying ; so that it was doubtful whether he was dearest to the soldiers or the generals. He served three campaigns under Asdrubal. The suffrages of both the army and people concur. red to raise him to the supreme command, upon the death of Asdrubal. I know not whether it was not even then, or about that time, the Republic, to heighten his credit and authority, advanced him to the first dignity of the state, that of one of its suffetes, which was sometimes conferred upon generals. It is from Cornelius Nepos" that we have borrowed this circumstance of his life, who, speaking of the pretorship bestowed on Hannibal, upon his return to Carthage, and the conclusion of the peace, says, that this was twenty two years after he had been nominated king.' The moment he was created general, Hannibal, as if Italy had been allotted to him, and he was even then appointed to make war upon the Romans, turned secretly his whole views on that side, and lost no time, for fear of being prevented by death, as his father and brother in law had been. In Spain he took several strong towns, and conquered many nations. Though the Spaniards had so much advantage over him with regard to the number of forces, their army amounting to upwards of one hundred thousand men, yet he chose his time and posts so happily, that he entirely defeated them. After this victory, every thing submitted to his But he still forbore laying siege to Saguntum," arms. A. M. 3784. A. Carth. 626. A. Rom. 528. Polyb. 1. iii. p. 178, 179. Liv. l. xxi. n. 3-5. "In Vit. Annib. c. 7. Hic ut rediit prætor factus est, postquam rex fuerat anno secundo et vigesimo. w This city lay on the Carthaginian side of the Iberus, very near the mouth of that river, and in a country where the Carthaginians were allowed to make war; but Saguntum, as an ally of the Romans, was excepted from all hostilities, by virtue of the late treaty. carefully avoiding every occasion of a rupture with the Romans, till he should be furnished with all things necessary for so important an enterprise, pursuant to the advice given him by his father. He applied himself particularly to engage the affections of the citizens and allies, and to gain their confidence, by generously allot. ing them a large share of the plunder taken from the enemy, and by paying them all their arrears: a wise step, which never fails of producing its advantage at a proper season. > The Saguntins, on their side, sensible of the danger with which they were threatened, from the continual successes of Hannibal, advertised the Romans of them. Upon this, deputies were nominated by the latter, and ordered to go and take a personal information upon the spot; they commanded them also to lay their complaints before Hannibal, if it should be thought proper; and in case he should refuse to do justice, that then they should go directly to Carthage, and make the same complaints. In the mean time Hannibal laid siege to Saguntum, promising himself great advantages from the taking of this city. He was persuaded that this would deprive the Romans of all hopes of carrying the war into Spain; that this new conquest would secure the old ones; that no enemy would be left behind him, a circumstance which would render his march more secure and unmolested; that he should find money enough in it for the execution of his designs; that the plunder * Ibi large partiendo prædam, stipendia præterita cum fide exolvendo, cunctos civium sociorumque animos in se firmavit. Liv. 1. xxi. n. 5. y Polyb. 1. iii. p. 170, 171. Liv. l. xxi. n. 6—15. of the city would inspire his soldiers with great ardour, and make them follow him with the greater cheerfulness; that, lastly, the spoils which he should send to Carthage would gain him the favour of the citizens. Animated by these motives, he carried on the siege with the utmost vigor. He himself set an example to his troops, was present at all the works, and exposed himself to the greatest dangers. News was soon carried to Rome that Saguntum was besieged. But the Romans, instead of flying to its relief, lost their time in fruitless debates, and equally insignificant deputations. Hannibal sent word to the Roman deputies that he was not at leisure to hear them. They therefore repaired to Carthage, but with no better success; the Barcinian faction having prevailed over the complaints of the Romans, and all the remonstrances of Hanno. During these voyages and negociations, the siege was carried on with great vigor. The Saguntins were now reduced to the last extremity, and in want of all things. An accommodation was thereupon proposed; but the conditions on which it was offered appeared so harsh, that the Saguntins could not so much as think of accepting them. Before they gave their final answer, the principal senators, bringing their gold and silver, and that of the public treasury, into the market place, threw both into a fire lighted for that purpose, and afterwards themselves. At the same time a tower, which had been long assaulted by the battering rams, falling with a dreadful noise, the Carthaginians entered the city by the breach, soon made themselves masters of it, and cut to pieces all the inhabitants who were of age to bear arms. But notwithstanding the fire, the Carthaginians got a very great booty. Hannibal did not reserve to himself any part of the spoils gained by his victories, but applied them solely to the carrying on his enterprises. Accordingly Polybius remarks, that the taking of Saguntum was of service to him, as it awakened the ardour of his soldiers, by the sight of the rich booty which it had afforded, and by the hopes of more; and it reconciled the principal persons of Carthage to Hannibal, by the large presents he made to them out of its spoils. • Words could never express the grief and consternation with which the news of the taking, and the cruel fate of Saguntum, was received at Rome. Compassion for an unfortunate city, shame for their having failed to succour such faithful allies, a just indignation against the Carthaginians, the authors of all these calamities; the strong alarms raised by the successes of Hannibal, whom the Romans fancied they saw already at their gates; all these sentiments were so violent, that during the first moments of them, the Romans were unable to come to any resolution, or do any thing, but give way to the torrent of their passion, and sacrifice floods of tears to the memory of a city, which lay in ruins because of its inviolable fidelity to the Romans, and had been betrayed by their unac countable indolence and imprudent delays. When they were a little recovered, an assembly of the people 2 Polyb. p. 174, 175. Liv. 1. xxi. n. 16, 17. Sanctitate disciplinæ, qua fidem socialem usque ad perniciem suam coluerunt. Liv. 1. xxi. n. 7. |