Chapter VIII: Part II: Rashness justly punished (4)

Elephantorum traiciendorum varia consilia fuisse credo, certe variat memoria actae rei. . . . Ceterum magis constat ratibus traiectos esse elephantos. Ratem unam ducentos longam pedes quinquaginta latam a terra in amnem porrexerunt, quam, ne {5} secunda aqua deferretur, pluribus validis retinaculis parte superiore ripae religatam pontis in modum humo iniecta constraverunt, ut beluae audacter velut per solum ingrederentur. Altera ratis aeque lata, longa pedes centum, ad traiciendum flumen apta, {10} huic copulata est; tum elephanti per stabilem ratem tamquam viam praegredientibus feminis acti ubi in minorem applicatam transgressi sunt, extemplo resolutis, quibus leviter annexa erat, vinculis ab actuariis aliquot navibus ad alteram ripam pertrahitur. Ita {15} primis expositis alii deinde repetiti ac traiecti sunt. Nihil sane trepidabant, donec continenti velut ponte agerentur; primus erat pavor, cum soluta ab ceteris rate in altum raperentur. Ibi urgentes inter se cedentibus extremis ab aqua trepidationis aliquantum {20} edebant, donec quietem ipse timor circumspectantibus aquam fecisset. Excidere etiam saevientes quidam in flumen; sed pondere ipso stabilis deiectis rectoribus quaerendis pedetemptim vadis in terram evasere. {25}

LIVY, xxi. 28.

[Linenotes:
2. +variat ... rei+ = _the accounts of what was done differ_.
--Dimsdale.
7. +parte superiore ... pontis+ = _fastened to the upper part of the
bank_, i.e. to the bank at a point higher up stream. --D.
9. +per solum+ = _on firm ground_.
14. +ab actuariis+ = _by some light craft_, lit. 'Easily moved'
(_ago_).
17-18. +donec ... agerentur+ = _So long as they were being driven on
what seemed a bridge connected with the land._ --C. and B.
_Agebantur_ would be more usual, but _agerentur_ may give the reason
of _nihil trepidabant_. Cf. _donec--fecisset_ ll. 21-22.
19. +in altum+ = _into mid stream_, usu. of the Sea. --D.
+inter se+ = _one on another_, _alii alios_.
24. +quaerendis pedetemptim vadis+ = _feeling their way into shallow
water_. +pedetemptim+ = _step by step_, lit. 'stretching out the
feet' (_pes + tendo_). Cf. _paulatim_, _sensim_.]

+Reference.+ Polybius, iii. 46. Both Polybius and Livy thought that elephants could not swim.

C14

SECOND PUNIC WAR, 218-202 B.C.

_From the Rhone to Italy. Hannibal encourages his Soldiers._

Itaque Hannibal, postquam ipsi sententia stetit pergere ire atque Italiam petere, advocata contione varie militum versat animos castigando adhortandoque: mirari se, quinam pectora semper impavida repens terror invaserit. . . . Alpes quidem habitari, coli, {5} gignere atque alere animantes; pervias fauces esse exercitibus. Eos ipsos, quos cernant, legatos non pinnis sublime elatos Alpes transgressos. Ne maiores quidem eorum indigenas, sed advenas Italiae cultores has ipsas Alpes ingentibus saepe agminibus cum {10} liberis ac coniugibus migrantium modo tuto transmisisse. Militi quidem armato nihil secum praeter instrumenta belli portanti quid invium aut inexsuperabile esse? Saguntum ut caperetur, quid per octo menses periculi, quid laboris exhaustum esse! {15} Romam, caput orbis terrarum, petentibus quicquam adeo asperum atque arduum videri, quod inceptum moretur? Cepisse quondam Gallos ea, quae adiri posse Poenus desperet. Proinde aut cederent animo atque virtute genti per eos dies totiens ab se victae, {20} aut itineris finem sperent campum interiacentem Tiberi ac moenibus Romanis.

LIVY, xxi. 30.

[Linenotes:
2-3. +varie ... versat+ = _works on their minds by different
methods_, i.e. +castigando adhortandoque+.--Dimsdale.
4-5. +repens terror.+ Livy says that H.'s soldiers dreaded the
Romans (victorious in the 1st Punic War), but still more the
exaggerated and unknown terrors of the Alps.
7. +Eos ipsos legatos+, i.e. of the Boii (Insubrian Gauls), long
settled in Gallia Cisalpina (round Mediolanum = Milan).
9. +advenas Italiae cultores+ = _foreign settlers in Italy_.
_advenas_ = adj. here. --D.
11. +migrantium modo+ = _as immigrants_.
16. +Romam caput orbis.+ A rhetorical exaggeration, for Rome was
not yet mistress even of all Italy (e.g. the Boii not subdued until
191 B.C.).
18. +Cepisse Gallos.+ The Gauls sacked Rome 390 B.C.
20. +genti ... victae+, e.g. at the Passage of the Rhone.
21. +campum+, i.e. the Campus Martius, N.W. of Rome, where the Tiber
makes a wide curve. For the thought cf. p. 116, ll. 7, 8.]
[[Selection C9, lines 155, 156]]

+The Speeches of Livy.+ 'He does not intend in them to reproduce the substance of words actually spoken, or even to imitate the tone of the time in which the speech is laid. He uses them as a vivid and dramatic method of portraying character and motive.' --Mackail.

C15

SECOND PUNIC WAR, 218-202 B.C.

_From the Rhone to Italy. The Descent of the Alps._

Natura locus iam ante praeceps recenti lapsu terrae in pedum mille admodum altitudinem abruptus erat. . . . Tandem nequiquam iumentis atque hominibus fatigatis castra in iugo posita, aegerrime ad id ipsum loco purgato: tantum nivis fodiendum atque {5} egerendum fuit. Inde ad rupem muniendam, per quam unam via esse poterat, milites ducti, cum caedendum esset saxum, arboribus circa immanibus deiectis detruncatisque struem ingentem lignorum faciunt, eamque, cum et vis venti apta faciendo igni {10} coorta esset, succendunt ardentiaque saxa infuso aceto putrefaciunt. Ita torridam incendio rupem ferro pandunt, molliuntque anfractibus modicis clivos, ut non iumenta solum sed elephanti etiam deduci possent. Quadriduum circa rupem consumptum {15} iumentis prope fame absumptis; nuda enim fere cacumina sunt, et, si quid est pabuli, obruunt nives. Inferiora valles apricosque quosdam colles habent rivosque prope silvas et iam humano cultu digniora loca. Ibi iumenta in pabulum missa, et quies {20} muniendo fessis hominibus data. Triduo inde ad planum descensum iam et locis mollioribus et accolarum ingeniis.

LIVY, xxi. 36, 37.

+Context.+ At a short distance from the summit of the Pass (prob. the Little St. Bernard) Hannibal finds his passage barred by a break in the road, caused by a landslip or avalanche.

[Linenotes:
2-3. +in pedum ... abruptus erat.+ Polybius says that the precipice
at the side of the road (leaving only a narrow ledge) extended for
about 1000 ft. _in length_. Livy in mistake converts this into 1000
ft. _in depth_.
3-4. +Tandem ... fatigatis+, i.e. after H.'s attempt to pass by a
side-way over a glacier failed.
4. +in iugo+, i.e. on the higher level where the road was broken
away.
6. +ad rupem muniendam+ = _to cut a way through the rock_. _Munire_
(cf. _moenia_) = lit. 'to wall,' 'to build.' So _munire viam_ = _to
make a road_. Hannibal widened the narrow ledge of road by making a
sort of terrace.
9. +detruncatis+ = _trimmed_, (lit. 'lopped off'), i.e. cleared of
branches.
11-12. +infuso aceto.+ Limestone rock might be softened by vinegar,
which the _posca_, the soldiers' regular drink of vinegar and water,
would supply. Polybius does not mention this.
13-14. +molliuntque ... clivos+ = _relieve the steepness of the
descent by gently-sloping zigzag paths_. _Anfractus_, from _ambi +
frango_.]

+References.+ Polybius, iii. 54-56; Ihne, i. 171-179.

C16

SECOND PUNIC WAR, 218-202 B.C.

A. _The Battle at the R. Trebia, 218 B.C._

Hannibal, cum ad Trebiam in conspectu haberet Semproni Longi consulis castra, medio amne interfluente, saevissima hieme Magonem et electos in insidiis posuit. Deinde Numidas equites ad eliciendam Semproni credulitatem adequitare vallo eius {5} iussit, quibus praeceperat, ut ad primum nostrorum incursum per nota refugerent vada. Hos consul et adortus temere et secutus ieiunum exercitum in maximo frigore transitu fluminis rigefecit: mox torpore et inedia adfectis Hannibal suum militem {10} opposuit, quem ad id ignibus oleoque et cibo foverat; nec defuit partibus Mago, quin terga hostium in hoc ordinatus caederet.

FRONTINUS, _Strategemata_, ii. 5. 23.

[Linenotes:
1. +ad Trebiam+, a small tributary S. of the Padus, which it joins 2
miles W. of Placentia (Piacenza).
2. +castra.+ Ti. Sempronius Longus, with his army from Sicily,
effected a junction with his colleague, Scipio, in his fortified
camp on the W. or left bank of the Trebia.
8-9. +ieiunum ... rigefecit+, i.e. Sempronius _made stiff_
(+rigefecit+) with wading breast-high across the icy river his men
_faint with hunger_ (+ieiunum+).
11. +oleoque+, i.e. _ut mollirent artus_ = _to make their limbs
supple_.
12-13. +nec defuit ... caederet.+ The Romans kept their ground with
the utmost courage till Mago burst out from his ambush and attacked
them in rear.]

B. _The River bars the Retreat._

Et iam, dispersis Romana per agmina signis, 570
Palantes agit, ad ripas, miserabile! Poenus
Impellens trepidos, fluvioque immergere certat.
Tum Trebia infausto nova proelia gurgite fessis
Incohat, ac precibus Iunonis suscitat undas.
Haurit subsidens fugientum corpora tellus, 575
Infidaque soli frustrata voragine sorbet.
Nec niti lentoque datur convellere limo
Mersa pedum penitus vestigia: labe tenaci
Haerent devincti gressus, resolutaque ripa
Implicat aut caeca prosternit fraude paludis. 580

SILIUS ITALICUS, iv. 570-580.

[Linenotes:
574. +precibus ... undas.+ The poet, in his imitation of Vergil,
makes Juno the devoted ally of Hannibal.
576. +soli frustrata+ = _prevented from reaching firm ground_.
577. +lento+ = _sticky_.
579. +resoluta+ = _crumbling_.]

+References+. Livy, xxi. 52-56; Ihne, ii. 187-191.

C17

SECOND PUNIC WAR, 218-202 B.C.

_The Battle of Lake Trasimene, 217 B.C._ (1)

Flaminius cum pridie solis occasu ad lacum pervenisset, inexplorato postero die vixdum satis certa luce angustiis superatis, postquam in patentiorem campum pandi agmen coepit, id tantum hostium, quod ex adverso erat, conspexit; ab tergo ac super {5} caput _haud[29] detectae_ insidiae. Poenus ubi, id quod petierat, clausum lacu ac montibus et circumfusum suis copiis habuit hostem, signum omnibus dat simul invadendi. Qui ubi, qua cuique proximum fuit, decucurrerunt, eo magis Romanis subita atque improvisa {10} res fuit, quod orta ex lacu nebula campo quam montibus densior sederat, agminaque hostium ex pluribus collibus ipsa inter se satis conspecta eoque magis pariter decucurrerant. Romanus clamore prius undique orto, quam satis cerneret, se circumventum {15} esse sensit, et ante in frontem lateraque pugnari coeptum est, quam satis instrueretur acies aut expediri arma stringique gladii possent. Consul perculsis omnibus ipse satis, ut[30] in re trepida, impavidus turbatos ordines, vertente se quoque ad dissonos {20} clamores, instruit, ut tempus locusque patitur, et, quacunque adire audirique potest, adhortatur ac stare ac pugnare iubet. {25}

LIVY, xxii. 4, 5.

[Footnote 29: Var. lect. _decepere_.]

[Footnote 30: For this qualifying use of _ut_ cf. p. 42, iii. (b)
and p. 83 line 1.] [[Demonstration IV.iii and Selection D24]]

[Linenotes:
1. +Flaminius+ (Gaius), the chief of the popular party at Rome.
Consul 223 B.C., conquered the Insubrian Gauls, Censor 220 B.C.
Connected Picenum with Rome by the Via Flaminia. Consul (a second
time) 217 B.C., defeated and killed at Trasimene.
2. +inexplorato+ = _without reconnoitring_. 'This word expresses the
whole blame attaching to Flaminius, and it is great.' --Dimsdale.
4. +pandi+ (= _se pandere_) = _to deploy_.
13. +ipsa ... conspecta+ = _were sufficiently visible to each
other_.
15. +prius quam satis cerneret+ = _before he could clearly
distinguish anything_. --D.
19. +ut in re trepida+ = _considering the confusion of the moment_.
--D.]

+The Scene of the Battle.+ At the N.W. end of the Lake the mountains of Cortona come right down to the lake, but a little further E. the pass expands and forms between the mountains and the lake a narrow plain from ½ to 1½ miles in width and about 4 miles in length. At the E. end of the plain the mountains again close down upon the lake. Here Hannibal encamped with his Africans and Spaniards; posted his light-armed troops behind the crests of the hills which bounded the plain on the N., and his cavalry at the entrance to the pass on the W. to cut off the Roman retreat.

C18

SECOND PUNIC WAR, 218-202 B.C.

_The Battle of Lake Trasimene, 217 B.C._ (2)

Ceterum prae strepitu ac tumultu nec consilium nec imperium accipi poterat, tantumque aberat, ut sua signa atque ordines et locum noscerent, ut vix ad arma capienda aptandaque pugnae competeret animus, opprimerenturque quidam onerati magis iis {5} quam tecti. Et erat in tanta caligine maior usus aurium quam oculorum. Ad gemitus vulneratorum ictusque corporum aut armorum et mixtos _strepentium_[31] paventiumque clamores circumferebant ora oculosque. Alii fugientes pugnantium globo illati {10} haerebant; alios redeuntes in pugnam avertebat fugientium agmen. Deinde, ubi in omnes partes nequiquam impetus capti, et ab lateribus montes ac lacus, a fronte et ab tergo hostium acies claudebant, apparuitque nullam nisi in dextera ferroque salutis {15} spem esse, tum sibi quisque dux adhortatorque factus ad rem gerendam et nova de integro exorta pugna est, non illa ordinata per principes hastatosque ac triarios, nec ut pro signis antesignani, post signa alia pugnaret acies; fors conglobabat et animus suus {20} cuique ante aut post pugnandi ordinem dabat; tantusque fuit ardor animorum, adeo intentus pugnae animus, ut eum motum terrae, qui multarum urbium Italiae magnas partes prostravit, nemo pugnantium senserit. {25}

LIVY, xxii. 5.

[Footnote 31: Var. lect. _terrentium_ = of those causing fear.]

[Linenotes:
4. +ad arma capienda aptandaque+ = _to seize and put on for the
battle their arms_. --Dimsdale.
5. +onerati:+ i.e. most were cut down in their full marching
equipment.
8-9. +mixtos ... clamores+ = _the mingled shouts of noisy triumph_
(+strepentium+) _or dismay_.
10. +pugnantium ... haerebant+ = _rushed upon a knot_ (+globo+) _of
combatants, and became entangled with it_. --Jebb.
14. +a fronte+, i.e. by Hannibal's African and Spanish infantry.
+ab tergo+, i.e. by Hannibal's cavalry and the Gauls.
18-19. +non illa ... triarios+ = _not in that well-known_ (+illa+)
_mode of fighting_ (sc. +pugna+) _arranged according to_. . . . Livy
refers to the old mode of formation (said to have been introduced by
Camillus) of i. +hastati+, _of young men_, ii. +principes+, _of men
at their prime_, iii. +triarii+, _of middle-aged men_.]

+References:+ Polybius, iii. 82-84; Ihne, _Hist._ vol, i. pp. 204-10.

C19

SECOND PUNIC WAR, 218-202 B.C.

_The Battle of Lake Trasimene, 217 B.C._ (3)

_The Death of Flaminius._

Dumque ea commemorat densosque obit obvius hostes,
Advolat ora ferus mentemque Ducarius. Acri 645
Nomen erat gentile viro, fusisque catervis
Boiorum quondam patriis, antiqua gerebat
Vulnera barbaricae mentis, noscensque superbi
Victoris vultus, 'Tune, inquit, maximus ille
Boiorum terror? libet hoc cognoscere telo, 650
Corporis an tanti manet de vulnere sanguis.
Nec vos poeniteat, populares, fortibus umbris
Hoc mactare caput: nostros hic curribus egit
Insistens victos alta ad Capitolia patres.
Ultrix hora vocat.' Pariter tunc undique fusis 655
Obruitur telis, nimboque mente per auras
Contectus nulli dextra iactare reliquit
Flaminium cecidisse sua. Nec pugna perempto
Ulterior ductore fuit; namque agmine denso
Primores iuvenum, laeva ob discrimina Martis 660
Infensi superis dextrisque, et cernere Poenum
Victorem plus morte rati, super ocius omnes
Membra ducis stratosque artus certamine magno
Telaque corporaque et non fausto Marte cruentas
Iniecere manus. Sic densi caedis acervo 665
Ceu tumulo, texere virum.

SILIUS ITALICUS, v. 644-666.

[Linenotes:
644. +Dum ... hostes+, i.e. after Flaminius' vain attempt to rally and
form his men, and his consequent resolve to atone for his fault
(_inexplorato_[32] _angustiis superatis_) with his life.
646. +Ducarius+--Livy, 'an Insubrian (Lombard) trooper.'
651. +mânet+ = _will flow_. Cf. _emanate_.
652. +populares+ = _fellow-countrymen_, but of Romans usu. _civis_.
658-666. Livy says more simply 'He (Ducarius) was trying to despoil
the corpse, when some veterans screened it with their shields.'
660. +laeva+ = _unfavourable_, lit. 'on the left side.' Cf.
_sinister_.]

[Footnote 32: See p. 124, l. 2, note.]
[[Selection C17, "inexplorato"]]

+Parallel Passages.+--Livy, xxii. 6; Polyb. iii. 84.

+Character of Flaminius.+ 'The party feelings which have so coloured the language of the ancient writers (e.g. Livy, Polybius) respecting him need not be shared by a modern historian. Flaminius was indeed an unequal antagonist to Hannibal; but, in his previous life, as Consul and as Censor, he had served his country well; and if the defile of Trasimene witnessed his rashness, it also contains his honourable grave.' Arnold, _Hist. Rome_, iii. 110.

C20

SECOND PUNIC WAR, 218-202 B.C.

_Quintus Fabus Maximus Cunctator._

Ego Q. Maximum, eum qui Tarentum recepit, senem adulescens ita dilexi, ut aequalem. Erat enim in illo viro comitate condita gravitas, nec senectus mores mutaverat. . . . Hic et bella gerebat ut adulescens, cum plane grandis esset, et Hannibalem {5} iuveniliter exsultantem patientia sua molliebat; de quo praeclare familiaris noster Ennius:

_Unus homo nobis cunctando restituit rem;
Noenum rumores ponebat ante salutem;
Ergo plusque magisque viri nunc gloria claret._ 10

Nec vero in armis praestantior quam in toga; qui consul iterum, Sp. Carvilio collega quiescente, C. Flaminio tribuno plebis, quoad potuit, restitit agrum Picentem et Gallicum viritim contra senatus auctoritatem dividenti. . . . Multa in eo viro praeclara {15} cognovi, sed nihil admirabilius quam quo modo ille mortem fili tulit, clari viri et consularis. Est in manibus laudatio, quam eum legimus, quem philosophum non contemnimus? Nec vero ille in luce modo atque in oculis civium magnus, sed intus {20} domique praestantior.

CICERO, _De Senectute_, §§ 10-12.

[Linenotes:
1. +Ego+, i.e. M. Porcius Cato, the famous Censor of 184 B.C.
+eum qui Tarentum recepit.+ Tarentum was betrayed to Hannibal 212
B.C. and _recovered_ by Fabius 209 B.C.
2-3. +Erat ... gravitas+ = _that hero possessed dignity tempered by
courtesy_. --J. S. R. +condita+ (_condio_) = lit. _seasoned_.
5. +grandis+, sc. _natu_. He was consul for a first time in 233 B.C.
6. +iuveniliter.+ Hannibal was 29 when he crossed the Alps.
+exsultantem+ = _wildly roaming_, of a horse galloping at will.
7. +noster Ennius+, circ. 239-169 B.C., famous espec. for his
Annales in Hexameter verse. He was the first Latin writer to use
this metre.
9. +Noenum+ (_ne + oinum_ = _not one thing_) = _non_. Cf. _nihil_ =
_ne + hilum_ = not a whit, nothing.
12-14. Flaminius, when tribune 232 B.C., by a vote of the Comitia
Tributa (i.e. by a _plebiscitum_) and against the expressed wish of
the Senate (_contra senatus auctoritatem_) carried an agrarian law
for the division of public land in Picenum amongst Roman citizens.
18. +laudatio+, sc. _funebris_, the funeral speech.
19-20. +in luce ... civium+ = _in public and under the gaze of his
fellow-countrymen_. --J. S. R.]

+References.+ Polybius, iii. 89, 90; Livy, xxii. 12; Plutarch, _Fabius_, vi.

C21

SECOND PUNIC WAR, 218-202 B.C.

_Fabius and his Master of the Horse, 217 B.C._

Ita per variam fortunam diei maiore parte exacta cum in castra reditum esset, Minucius convocatis militibus 'Saepe ego' inquit 'audivi, milites, eum primum esse virum, qui ipse consulat, quid in rem sit, secundum eum, qui bene monenti oboediat; qui {5} nec ipse consulere nec alteri parere sciat, eum extremi ingenii esse. Nobis quoniam prima animi ingeniique negata sors est, secundam ac mediam teneamus et, dum imperare discimus, parere prudenti in animum inducamus. Castra cum Fabio iungamus; ad praetorium {10} eius signa cum tulerimus, ubi ego eum parentem appellavero, quod beneficio erga nos ac maiestate eius dignum est, vos, milites, eos, quorum vos modo arma ac dexterae texerunt, patronos salutabitis, et, si nihil aliud, gratorum certe nobis {15} animorum gloriam dies hic dederit.' Signo dato conclamatur inde, ut colligantur vasa. Profecti et agmine incedentes ad dictatoris castra in admirationem et ipsum et omnes, qui circa erant, converterunt. {20}

LIVY, xxii. 29, 30.

+Context.+ Fabius' policy of 'masterly inactivity' had become so unpopular at Rome that the command of the army was divided between Fabius and Minucius, who risked a battle, and was only saved from a destruction as complete as that of the Trebia by the timely aid of Fabius. +Minucius publicly and fully atones for his rashness.+

[Linenotes:
4. +consulat+ = _can give counsel_--so _consulere_ l. 6.
6-7. +extremi ingenii+ = _has the meanest capacity_. gen. of
quality.
7-8. +prima ... sors est+ = _the highest rank in the scale of spirit
and intellect_. --Dimsdale.
14. +patronos+ = _as the authors of your freedom_. +Patronus+ =
legal title used by a freed slave (_libertus_) of his former master.
The soldiers of Minucius are to think of themselves as _liberti_,
owing their freedom to those of Fabius, who are thus their
+patroni+.
17. +ut colligantur vasa+, i.e. _impedimenta_. Cf. _signa movere_.]

+Fabius Cunctator.+ 'Fabius had to create a new army, to accustom it to war, and to inspire it with courage. He did this skilfully and persistently, and thus he rendered the most essential service that any general could at that time render to the State. It was probably at this time that the Senate voted him a crown of grass (_corona graminea_), the highest distinction which was awarded to a general who had saved a besieged town.' --Ihne.

C22

SECOND PUNIC WAR, 218-202 B.C. CANNAE, 218 B.C. (1)

_The Destruction of the Roman Infantry._

Sub equestris finem certaminis coorta est peditum pugna, primo et viribus et animis par, dum constabant ordines Gallis Hispanisque; tandem Romani, diu ac saepe conisi, obliqua fronte acieque densa impulere hostium cuneum nimis tenuem eoque parum {5} validum a cetera prominentem acie. Impulsis deinde ac trepide referentibus pedem institere ac tenore uno per praeceps pavore fugientium agmen in mediam primum aciem illati, postremo nullo resistente ad subsidia Afrorum pervenerunt, qui utrimque reductis {10} alis constiterant media, qua Galli Hispanique steterant, aliquantum prominente acie. Qui cuneus ut pulsus aequavit frontem primum, dein cedendo etiam sinum in medio dedit, Afri circa iam cornua fecerant irruentibusque incaute in medium Romanis circumdedere {15} alas; mox cornua extendendo clausere et ab tergo hostis. Hinc Romani, defuncti nequiquam proelio uno, omissis Gallis Hispanisque, quorum terga ceciderant, adversus Afros integram pugnam ineunt non tantum eo iniquam, quod inclusi adversus {20} circumfusos, sed etiam quod fessi cum recentibus ac vegetis pugnabant.

LIVY, xxii. 47.

[Linenotes:
1. +Sub ... certaminis+, i.e. _at the close of_ (+sub+) the first
stage in the battle, in which the Roman cavalry were defeated.
2-3. +constabant ... Hispanisque.+ These formed Hannibal's centre,
the _convex_ of his semicircular formation of his infantry, with the
African troops on the horns of the semicircle to the right and left,
but at some distance behind.
4. +obliqua fronte+, perh. = _concave_, so as to surround _the
projecting part of the enemy's line_ (+a cetera prominentem acie+).
5. +cuneum:+ here = the _convex_ formation of the Gauls and
Spaniards.
8-9. +in mediam aciem+ = _the centre of the line_, i.e. of the Gauls
and Spaniards, who were intended to engage with the Romans first.
10. +subsidia+ = _reserves_, i.e. the Africans, on the right and
left.
14-16. +Afri circa ... alas.+ Hannibal's formation is now
reversed.[33] The horns (+cornua+) of the semicircle (the Africans)
are now advanced, and _outflanked_ (+circumdedere alas+) the Romans,
who rushed heedlessly _into the intervening space_ (+in medium+,
i.e. the _concave_ part of H.'s line formed by the retirement of the
Gauls and Spaniards).
21-22. +recentibus ac vegetis+ = _fresh in body and mind_.]

[Footnote 33: i.e. the Africans now formed the horns of
a _crescent_ in relation to their centre, while it formed
the _concave_ part of the crescent. --D.]

+Results of the Battle.+ Hannibal becomes master of Magna Graecia, and the Romans lose (including 23,000 taken prisoners) about 70,000 men.

C23

SECOND PUNIC WAR, 218-202 B.C. CANNAE, 216 B.C. (2)

'_Paulus animae magnae prodigus._'

Cn. Lentulus tribunus militum cum praetervehens equo sedentem in saxo cruore oppletum consulem vidisset, 'L. Aemili' inquit, 'quem unum insontem culpae cladis hodiernae dei respicere debent, cape hunc equum, dum et tibi virium aliquid superest, {5} et comes ego te tollere possum ac protegere. Ne funestam hanc pugnam morte consulis feceris; etiam sine hoc lacrimarum satis luctusque est.' Ad ea consul: 'Tu quidem, Cn. Corneli, macte virtute esto; sed cave frustra miserando exiguum tempus e {10} manibus hostium evadendi absumas. Abi, nuntia publice patribus, urbem Romanam muniant ac, priusquam victor hostis advenit, praesidiis firment; privatim Q. Fabio L. Aemilium praeceptorum eius memorem et vixisse adhuc et mori. Memet in hac {15} strage militum meorum patere exspirare, ne aut reus iterum e consulatu sim aut accusator oollegae existam, ut alieno crimine innocentiam meam protegam.' Haec eos agentes prius turba fugientium civium, deinde hostes oppressere; consulem ignorantes, {20} quis esset, obruere telis, Lentulum inter tumultum arripuit equus. Tum undique effuse fugiunt.

LIVY, xxii. 49.

[Linenotes:
1. +praetervehens equo+ = _riding by_. +praetervehor+ used here as a
deponent. --Dimsdale.
2. +oppletum+ (= _perfusum_) = _covered_ (lit. _filled up_), or
_drenched_.
4. +respicere+ = _to look on with favour_. --D.
9. +macte virtute esto+ = lit. _go on and prosper in your courage_.
+mactus+ = i. _magis + auctus_ = _increased_, _glorified_, or more
prob. ii. = old partic. of obsolete _mago_ (= _augeo_), from
[Rt]#mak#, e.g. in #mak-ar#. Vocative used as nominative.
14. +praeceptorum.+ His self-sacrifice was not in vain. The tactics
of Fabius were again adopted after his death.
15. +et vixisse adhuc et mori+ = _died as he had ever lived_. --D.
17. +reus iterum e consulatu+ = _a second time to stand on my
defence in consequence of my consulship_, i.e. on a charge that grew
out of his acts as Consul (219 B.C.) with M. Livius Salinator of
misappropriation of the spoils at the close of the Illyrian War.
18-19. +ut ... protegam.+ The two Consuls had the chief command of
the army on alternate days. Varro was in command at Cannae.]

'The overthrow of Cannae was so complete that every other nation but the Romans would have given up the idea of further resistance.' --Ihne.

C24

SECOND PUNIC WAR, 218-202 B.C. CANNAE, 216 B.C. (3)

A. _Maharbal urges Hannibal to march on Rome._

Hannibali victori cum ceteri circumfusi gratularentur suaderentque, ut tanto perfunctus bello diei quod reliquum esset noctisque insequentis quietem et ipse sibi sumeret et fessis daret militibus, Maharbal praefectus equitum, minime cessandum ratus, 'Immo {5} ut, quid hac pugna sit actum, scias, die quinto' inquit 'victor in Capitolio epulaberis. Sequere: cum equite, ut prius venisse quam venturum sciant, praecedam.' Hannibali nimis laeta res est visa maiorque, quam ut eam statim capere animo posset. Itaque voluntatem {10} se laudare Maharbalis ait; ad consilium pensandum temporis opus esse. Tum Maharbal: 'Non omnia nimirum eidem di dedere; vincere scis, Hannibal, victoria uti nescis.' Mora eius diei satis creditur saluti fuisse urbi atque imperio. {15}

LIVY, xxii. 51.

[Linenotes:
2-4. +diei ... sumeret+ = _he should take what remained of that day
and the following night for rest_. --Church and Brodribb.
8. +venisse+, sc. +te+, suggested by +sequere+. --Dimsdale.
9. +res+ = _the idea_, i.e. of such a rapid termination to the war.
--D.
Hannibal was too far off (11 days' march) to take Rome by storm. Its
population contained as many soldiers as his army, and the city was
strongly fortified by its situation and by art.]

B. _Scipio forbids the Nobles to abandon Italy._

Post Cannensem cladem perculsis ita Romanorum animis, ut pars magna reliquiarum nobilissimis auctoribus deserendae Italiae iniret consilium, P. Scipio adulescens admodum impetu facto, in eo ipso in quo talia agitabantur coetu pronuntiavit manu se {20} sua interfecturum, nisi qui iurasset non esse sibi mentem destituendae rei publicae: cumque ipse se primus religione tali obligasset, stricto gladio mortem uni ex proximis minatus, nisi acciperet sacramentum, illum metu, ceteros etiam exemplo coegit ad iurandum. {25}

FRONTINUS, _Strat._ iv. 7. 39.

[Linenote:
18. +P. Scipio adulescens+, i.e. P. Corn. Scipio Africanns Maior,
_fatalis dux huiusce belli_, the predestined champion in this war.]

+Parallel Passage.+ Livy, xxii. 53, and cf. Livy, v. 50-55, where Camillus dissuades the commons from migrating to Veii.

C25

SECOND PUNIC WAR, 218-202 B.C.

A. _Rome's Heroes._

Regulum et Scauros animaeque magnae
Prodigum Paulum superante Poeno
Gratus insigni referam Camena
Fabriciumque. 40
Hunc et incomptis Curium capillis
Utilem bello tulit et Camillum
Saeva paupertas et avitus apto
Cum lare fundus. 44
Crescit occulto velut arbor aevo
Fama Marcelli; micat inter omnes
Iulium sidus velut inter ignes
Luna minores. 48

HORACE, _Odes_, I. xii. 37-48.

[Linenotes:
37. +Scauros+[34] (= +Scaurum+) = _such men as Scaurus_. Censor,
100 B.C.
40. +Fabricium+, who despised the bribes of Pyrrhus. Censor 275 B.C.
See p. 101, Fabricius the Just. [[Selection D42]]
43-44. +apto cum lare+ = _with homestead to match_. --Gow.]

[Footnote 34: Cf. in French, _Les Vergiles_.]

B. _The Dream of Propertius._

Visus eram molli recubans Heliconis in umbra,
Bellerophontei qua fluit umor equi,
Reges, Alba, tuos et regum facta tuorum,
Tantum operis, nervis hiscere posse meis; 4
Parvaque tam magnis admoram fontibus ora,
Unde pater sitiens Ennius ante bibit,
Et cecini Curios fratres et Horatia pila,
Regiaque Aemilia vecta tropaea rate, 8
Victricesque moras Fabii pugnamque sinistram
Cannensem et versos ad pia vota deos,
Hannibalemque Lares Romana sede fugantes,
Anseris et tutum voce fuisse Iovem. 12

PROPERTIUS, III. (IV.) iii. (ii.) 1-12.

+Subject:+--Propertius had tremblingly touched the mighty fount with his lips (l. 5): he dreamed that he essayed, in consequence, to follow the example of Ennius.

[Linenotes:
2. i.e. the Spring of Pirene near Corinth, where Pegasus was caught
by Bellerophon. Its waters possessed inspiring properties.
4. +nervis ... meis+ = _that I had strength to gasp forth_.
--Ramsay.
7. +Curios+ = _Curiatios_.
+Horatia pila+: see pp. 67-68. [[Selections D8, D9]]
8. +Aemilia+, i.e. of L. Aemilius Paullus (son of the hero of
Cannae), victor at Pydna 168 B.C. over Perseus of Macedon.
10. +versos ... deos+, i.e. the solemn ordinances decreed by Fabius,
Dictator after Trasimene, to which the gods _turned a ready ear_
(+versos+).
12. +fuisse+, dependent on +cecini+ l. 19.
+Iovem+, i.e. _Iovis Capitolini templum_. See p. 84.]
[[Selection D25]]

C26

SECOND PUNIC WAR, 218-202 B.C.

_The Revolt of Capua, 216-211 B.C._ (1)

A. _Capua aspires to rival Rome._

Altera iam teritur bellis civilibus aetas,
Suis et ipsa Roma viribus ruit.
Quam neque finitimi valuerunt perdere Marsi,
Minacis aut Etrusca Porsenae manus, 4
Aemula nec virtus Capuae nec Spartacus acer
Novisque rebus infidelis Allobrox,
Nec fera caerulea domuit Germania pube
Parentibusque abominatus Hannibal: 8
Impia perdemus devoti sanguinis aetas,
Ferisque rursus occupabitur solum.

HORACE, _Epod._ xvi. 1-10.

[Linenotes:
5. +Aemula virtus Capuae.+ In 216 B.C. Capua was, after Rome, the
richest and most powerful city in Italy. As the result of Cannae she
aspired to dominion over Italy.
+Spartacus acer+, leader of the Servile War, 73-71 B.C.
6. +novis rebus infidelis+ = _faithless to revolution_, because they
assisted in betraying Catiline's plot 63 B.C.--Wickham.
9. +impia ... aetas+ = _we an impious generation whose blood is
foredoomed_ (i.e. there is a curse on us) _shall destroy_ (Rome).]

B. _Decius Magius defies Hannibal._

Egressus curia Hannibal in templo magistratuum consedit, comprehendique Decium Magium atque ante pedes destitutum causam dicere iussit. Qui cum manente ferocia animi negaret lege foederis id cogi posse, tum iniectae catenae, ducique ante lictorem {15} in castra est iussus. Quoad capite aperto est ductus, contionabundus incessit ad circumfusam undique multitudinem vociferans: 'Habetis libertatem, Campani, quam petistis: foro medio, luce clara, videntibus vobis nulli Campanorum secundus vinctus ad mortem {20} rapior. Quid violentius capta Capua fieret? Ite obviam Hannibali, exornate urbem diemque adventus eius consecrate, ut hunc triumphum de cive vestro spectetis.'

LIVY, xxiii. 10.

+Context.+ After the Revolt of Capua, when Hannibal made a public entry into the city, the whole population, with the exception of Decius Magius and his son, poured out to meet him.

[Linenotes:
11. +in templo magistratuum+ = _on the magistrates' bench_, (or
_tribunal_).
12. +Decium Magium+, one of the few Capuan nobles faithful to Rome.
14-15. +negaret ... posse+ = _urged that by the terms of the treaty_
(i.e. between the Capuans and H.) _this could not be insisted on_.
--Church and Brodribb.]

C27

SECOND PUNIC WAR, 218-202 B.C.

_The Revolt of Capua, 216-211 B.C._ (2)

A. _'Capua,' it is said, 'became Hannibal's Cannae.'_

Cum victoria Hannibal posset uti, frui maluit relictaque Roma Campaniam Tarentumque peragrare, ubi mox et ipse et exercitus ardor elanguit adeo ut vere dictum sit Capuam Hannibali Cannas fuisse. Si quidem invictum Alpibus, indomitum armis Campani--quis {5} crederet?--soles et tepentes fontibus Baiae subegerunt.

FLORUS, II. vi. 21-22.

[Linenotes:
2. +Campaniam Tarentumque+, once the two most fertile districts in
Italy.
4. +Capuam ... fuisse.+ Ihne says: 'Whatever may have been the
pleasures and indulgences of Hannibal's troops in Capua, their
military qualities cannot have suffered by them, as the subsequent
history of the war sufficiently demonstrates.'
7-8. +tepentes fontibus Baiae+, on a small bay west of Naples and
opposite Puteoli, abounded in warm mineral springs.]

B. _The Punishment of Rebel Capua, 211 B.C._

Ad septuaginta principes senatus interfecti, trecenti ferme nobiles Campani in carcerem conditi; alii per sociorum Latini nominis urbes in custodias {10} dati variis casibus interierunt; multitudo alia civium Campanorum venum data. De urbe agroque reliqua consultatio fuit, quibusdam delendam censentibus urbem praevalidam, propinquam, inimicam. Ceterum praesens utilitas vicit; nam propter agrum, quem {15} omni fertilitate terrae satis constabat primum in Italia esse, urbs servata est, ut esset aliqua aratorum sedes. Urbi frequentandae multitudo incolarum libertinorumque et institorum opificumque retenta; ager omnis et tecta publica populi Romani facta. {20}

LIVY, xxvi. 16.

[Linenotes:
10. +sociorum Latini nominis+ = _sociorum_ +ac+ _Latini nominis_,
which includes all the Italian allies. 'The _Nomen Latinum_ were the
members of the old Latin league whose rights were reduced in 338
B.C. after the Latin War.' --Rawlins.
13. +delendam.+ Cf. Cato's _Delenda est Carthago_.
15-17. +agrum ... in Italia esse.+ Cf. Verg. _Georg._ ii. 224-5:
'Such is the tilth of wealthy Capua and the coast that borders the
Vesuvian ridge.' --Mackail.
18. +frequentandae+ = _for the purpose of peopling_.
19. +institorum+ = _pedlars or dealers_. Cf. our 'commercial
travellers'.
20. +publica ... facta+ = _confiscated_. 'This _ager publicus_ was
leased by the censors to farmers (_aratores_) who paid rent
(_vectigal_) for it.' --R.]

C28

SECOND PUNIC WAR, 218-202 B.C.

_Marcellus at Nola, 216 B.C._

Ad tres portas in hostes versas Marcellus tripertito exercitum instruxit. . . . Ita instructi intra portas stabant. Hannibali sub signis, id quod per aliquot dies fecerat, ad multum diei in acie stanti primo miraculo esse, quod nec exercitus Romanus {5} porta egrederetur nec armatus quisquam in muris essent. Ratus deinde, prodita colloquia esse, metuque resides factos, partem militum in castra remittit iussos propere apparatum omnem oppugnandae urbis in primam aciem afferre, satis fidens, si cunctantibus {10} instaret, tumultum aliquem in urbe plebem moturam. Dum in sua quisque ministeria discursu trepidat ad prima signa succeditque ad muros acies, patefacta repente porta Marcellus signa canere clamoremque tolli ac pedites primum, deinde equites, quanto {15} maximo possent impetu, in hostem erumpere iubet. Satis terroris tumultusque in aciem mediam intulerant, cum duabus circa portis P. Valerius Flaccus et C. Aurelius in cornua hostium erupere. . . . Ingens victoria eo die res ac nescio an maxima illo bello gesta {20} est; non vinci enim ab Hannibale tunc diffcilius fuit quam postea vincere.

LIVY, xxiii. 16.

+Context.+ The plebs in Nola (as in Capua) was in favour of joining Hannibal, and it was with difficulty that the nobles (who here, as elsewhere, favoured Rome) delayed the decision, thus gaining time to inform Marcellus, who was then stationed at Casilinum, of the danger of a revolt. Marcellus immediately hastened to Nola, and occupied the town with a strong garrison.

[Linenotes:
3-5. +Hannibali ... primo miraculo esse+ = _Hannibal, who ... had
his troops under arms till a late hour, was first of all astonished
that_. --Church and Brodribb.
7. +colloquia esse+, i.e. his _communications_ (+colloquia+) with
the Carthaginian party in Nola.
8. +res[)i]des+ = _inactive_, lit. _that remains sitting_
(+re + sedeo+).
10. +si cunctantibus instaret+ = _if he met hesitation with prompt
action_. --Church and Brodribb. Lit. _if he pressed upon those
hesitating_.
12. +in sua ... ministeria+ = _to their several posts_.
19-21. +Ingens ... gesta est+ = _a great victory, the greatest,
perhaps throughout the war, was achieved that day_.]

+Nola+, an important town in Campania, S.E. of Capua. It remained faithful to the Romans, even after Cannae, when the other Campanian towns revolted to Hannibal.

+Marcellus at Nola.+ 'It was the merit of Marcellus that he saved Nola from being taken.' --Ihne.

C29

SECOND PUNIC WAR, 218-202 B.C.

_Cicero's Description of Syracuse._

Urbem Syracusas maximam esse Graecarum urbium pulcherrimamque omnium saepe audistis, Est, indices, ita, ut dicitur: nam et situ est cum munito, tum ex omni aditu vel terra vel mari praeclaro ad aspectum: et portus habet prope in aedificatione {5} aspectuque urbis inclusos: qui cum diversos inter se aditus habeant, in exitu coniunguntur et confluunt. Eorum coniunctione pars oppidi, quae appellatur Insula, mari disiuncta angusto, ponte rursum adiungitur et continetur. Ea tanta est urbs, ut ex {10} quattuor urbibus maximis constare dicatur: quarum una est ea, quam dixi, Insula: quae duobus portubus cincta, in utriusque portus ostium aditumque proiecta est: in qua domus est, quae Hieronis regis fuit, qua praetores uti solent. Altera autem est urbs {15} Syracusis, cui nomen Achradina est: in qua forum maximum, pulcherrimae porticus, ornatissimum prytaneum, amplissima est curia, templumque egregium Iovis Olympii. Tertia est urbs, quae, quod in ea parte Fortunae fanum antiquum fuit, {20} Tycha nominata est, in qua et gymnasium amplissimum est et complures aedes sacrae: coliturque ea pars et habitatur frequentissime. Quarta autem est urbs, quae quia postrema coaedificata est, Neapolis nominatur: quam ad summam theatrum est maximum. {25}

CICERO, _In Verrem_, ii. 4. 117-119.

[Linenotes:
5-6. +prope ... inclusos+, a special feature of Syracuse, because
many ancient cities were built at some distance from the sea, with a
harbour detached from them (e.g. Ostia, the port of Rome), though
sometimes joined by long walls, as at Athens.
7. +in exitu+ = _at their outlet_, i.e. the narrow channel between
Ortygia (= Insula) and the mainland which connected the two
harbours.
9. +disiuncta+ = _separated from the rest_ (+dis+--).
12. +Insula+, i.e. Ortygia, the only part now inhabited.
14. +Hieronis regis+, King of Syracuse, 270-216 B.C., distinguished
by his military ability and the wise policy of his reign. From 263
B.C. till his death, the faithful friend and ally of Rome.
16. +Achradina+, the mainland N. of Ortygia. At the time of the
famous siege of Syracuse by the Athenians, 415-413 B.C., the city
consisted only of Ortygia and Achradina.
18. +prytaneum+ = _town-hall_ (#prutaneion# = _the presidents'
hall_).
25. +theatrum est maximum+, capable of holding 25,000 people. Of all
the buildings described by Cicero as existing in Neapolis, the
Theatre alone remains.]

+Reference.+ Freeman's _History of Sicily_.

C30

SECOND PUNIC WAR, 218-202 B.C.

_Engineering Skill of Archimedes._

Adversus hunc navalem apparatum Archimedes variae magnitudinis tormenta in muria disposuit. In eas, quae procul erant, naves saxa ingenti pondere emittebat, propiores levioribus eoque magis crebris petebat telis; postremo, ut sui vulnere intacti tela {5} in hostem ingererent, murum ab imo ad summum crebris cubitalibus fere cavis aperuit, per quae cava pars sagittis pars scorpionibus modicis ex occulto petebant hostem. Quae propius quaedam subibant naves, quo interiores ictibus tormentorum essent, in {10} eas tollenone super murum eminente ferrea manus, firmae catenae illigata, cum iniecta prorae esset gravique libramento plumbi recelleret ad solum, suspensa prora navem in puppim statuebat; dein remissa subito velut ex muro cadentem navem cum {15} ingenti trepidatione nautarum ita undae affligebat, ut, etiam si recta reciderat, aliquantum aquae acciperet, Ita maritima oppugnatio est elusa omnisque spes eo versa, ut totis viribus terra aggrederentur. Sed ea quoque pars eodem omni apparatu tormehtorum instructa {20} erat Hieronis impensis curaque per multos annos, Archimedis unica arte.

LIVY, xxiv, 34.

[Linenotes:
1. +adversus ... apparatum+, i.e. to oppose the elaborate naval
attack by Marcellus on the seaward defences of Achradina.
7. +cubitalibus fere cavis+ = _with holes_ (fr. +cavum+ = noun)
_about 1½ feet square_, +cubitalibus+ (_cubitum_) = _a cubit long_.
Polybius has a _palm_ long, about 3 inches. This is more probable.
8. +scorpionibus+ = _crossbows_ or _manuballistae_.
10. +quo interiores ... essent+ = _so as to be too close in to be
hit by_ (+intertores ictibus+) _the engines_.
10-12. +in eas+ (sc. +proras+) +iniecta+ = _on their bows was
dropped_ ...
11. +tollenone+ = _from a swing beam_, supported at the centre of
gravity by a strong fixed fulcrum.
12-13. +cum (ferrea manus) gravique ... ad solum+ = lit. _when (the
grappling-iron) swung back_ (+recelleret+) _to the ground by a
heavyweight of lead_. 'This is incorrect; it was not the
grappling-iron, but the other (_inland_) end of the lever which was
brought down to the ground.' --Rawlins.
15. +remissa+ (sc. +ferrea manus+) = _the grappling-hook was (then)
suddenly let go_.
16. +ita undae affligebat+ = _was dashed with such violence on the
disturbed water_ (+undae+).]

+Cause of the War.+ Soon after the death of Hiero in 216 B.C., his whole family was murdered, and the supreme power in Syracuse fell into the hands of the two brothers, Hippocrates and Epicydes, Hannibal's agents.

C31

SECOND PUNIC WAR, 218-202 B.C.

_Marcellus laments over Syracuse._

Marcellus ut moenia ingressus ex superioribus locis urbem omnium ferme ilia tempestate pulcherrimam subiectam oculis vidit, illacrimasse dicitur partim gaudio tantae perpetratae rei, partim vetusta gloria urbis. Atheniensium classes demersae et duo {5} ingentes exercitus cum duobus clarissimis ducibus deleti occurrebant et tot bella cum Carthaginiensibus tanto cum discrimine gesta, tot tam opulenti tyranni regesque, praeter ceteros Hiero cum recentissimae memoriae rex, tum ante omnia, quae virtus ei fortunaque {10} sua dederat, beneficiis in populum Romanum insignis. Ea cum universa occurrerent animo subiretque cogitatio, iam illa momento horae arsura omnia et ad cineres reditura, priusquam signa Achradinam admoveret, praemittit Syracusanos, {15} qui intra praesidia Romana fuerant, ut alloquio leni impellerent hostes ad dedendam urbem. . . . Achradina diripienda militi data est. Cum multa irae, multa avaritiae foeda exempla ederentur, Archimeden memoriae proditum est in tanto tumultu, quantum {20} pavor captae urbis in discursu diripientium militum ciere poterat, intentum formis, quas in pulvere descripserat, ab ignaro milite, quis esset, interfectum; aegre id Marcellum tulisse sepulturaeque curam habitam, et propinquis etiam inquisitis honori praesidioque {25} nomen ac memoriam eius fuisse.

LIVY, xxv. 24, 31.

[Linenotes:
1-2. +ex superioribus locis+, i.e. from the heights of Epipolae,
which he had taken by a night attack, when the Syracusans were
celebrating a three days' festival of Artemis.
6. +ducibus+, e.g. Lamachus, Eurymedon, Demosthenes.
7-8. +tot bella ... gesta+, e.g. at Himera, 480 B.C., on the same
day as Salamis.
8-9. +tot tam ... regesque+, e.g. Gelo, 485 B.C.; Dionysius the
Elder, 406 B.C.; Hiero II., the friend and ally of Rome, King of
Syracuse, 270-216 B.C.
8. +tyranni+, i.e. _absolute rulers, despots_, with reference rather
to the _irregular way_ in which the power was gained, than the way
in which it _was exercised_.
16. +qui ... fuerant+, i.e. Syracusan deserters who kept up
communication with the republican (pro-Roman) party in Syracuse.
22. +formis+ = _diagrams_.
24. +sepulturae+. Cf. Demonstration VI, page 54.]

+The Treatment of Syracuse.+ It would have been the undying glory of Marcellus if, on obtaining possession, he had shielded the unhappy city from further miseries. The art-treasures of Syracuse were sent to Rome, a precedent afterwards followed.

C32

SECOND PUNIC WAR, 218-202 B.C.

_The Death of Marcellus, 208 B.C._

Exiguum campi ante castra erat; inde in collem aperta undique et conspecta ferebat via. Numidis speculator, nequaquam in spem tantae rei positus, sed si quos vagos pabuli aut lignorum causa longius a castris progressos possent excipere, signum dat, ut {5} pariter ab suis quisque latebris exorerentur. Non ante apparuere, quibus obviis ab iugo ipso consurgendum erat, quam circumiere, qui ab tergo intercluderent viam. Tum undique omnes exorti et clamore sublato impetum fecere. Cum in ea valle {10} consules essent, ut neque evadere possent in iugum occupatum ab hoste nec receptum ab tergo circumventi haberent, extrahi tamen diutius certamen potuisset, ni coepta ab Etruscis fuga pavorem ceteris {15} iniecisset. Non tamen omisere pugnam deserti ab Etruscis Fregellani, donec integri consules hortando ipsique ex parte pugnando rem sustinebant; sed postquam vulneratos ambo consules, Marcellum etiam transfixum lancea prolabentem ex equo moribundum {20} videre, tum et ipsi--perpauci autem supererant--cum Crispino consule duobus iaculis ieto et Marcello adolescente saucio et ipso effugerunt.

LIVY, xxvii. 27.

+Context+. Marcellus was Consul for a fifth time in 208 B.C. After the attempt to retake Locri (S.E. of Bruttium) was frustrated by Hannibal, Marcellus and his colleague Crispinus faced H. near Venusia in Apulia. Hannibal hoped to bring on a decisive action, but Marcellus adopted Fabian tactics, and himself headed a cavalry reconnaissance to explore the country between the Roman and the Carthaginian camps.

[Linenotes:
2-3. +Numidis speculator+. A wooded hill lay between the two camps:
H. had posted here in ambush some Numidian horsemen.
4-5. +si quos possent excipere+ = _on the chance of their being able
to intercept_. --Stephenson.
6-8. +Non ante ... circumiere+ = _those who were to spring on the
enemy_ (lit. _those to whom it was necessary to rise in a mass
confronting the enemy_ +obviis+) _from the hill itself did not show
themselves until a detachment had made their way round_
(+circumiere+).--S.
10. +valle+ = _a hollow_, i.e. a depression on the Roman side of the
hill.
16. +Fregellani+. Fregellae, a town of the Volsci, on the Via Latina
between Rome and Campania, colonised 328 B.C.
17. +ipsique ex parte pugnando+ = _taking their share in fighting_.
--S.]

+Character of Marcellus+. 'He was a brave soldier, a firm intrepid patriot, and an unflinching enemy of the enemies of Rome, but as a general no match for Hannibal.' --Ihne.

C33

SECOND PUNIC WAR, 218-202 B.C.

_Character of Scipio Africanus Maior._

Fuit enim Scipio non veris tantum virtutibus mirabilis, sed arte quoque quadam ab iuventa in ostentationem earum compositus, pleraque apud multitudinem aut _ut_ per nocturnas visa species aut velut divinitus mente monita agens, sive et ipse capti {5} quadam superstitione animi, sive ut imperia consiliaque velut sorte oraculi missa sine cunctatione exsequerentur. Ad hoc iam inde ab initio praeparans animos, ex quo togam virilem sumpsit, nullo die prius ullam publicam privatamque rem egit, quam {10} in Capitolium iret, ingressusque aedem consideret et plerumque solus in secreto ibi tempus tereret. Hic mos, quem per omnem vitam servabat, seu consulto seu temere vulgatae opinioni fidem apud quosdam fecit, stirpis eum divinae virum esse. Multa alia {15} eiusdem generis, alia vera, alia assimulata, admirationis humanae in eo iuvene excesserant modum; quibus freta tunc civitas aetati haudquaquam maturae tantam rerum molem tantumque imperium permisit.

LIVY, xxvi. 19.

[Linenotes:
2-3. +in ostentationem earum compositus+ = _he made a study_
(+compositus+) _of displaying them_, implying artificiality. --R.
3-5. +pleraque ... agens+ = _in most of his dealings_ (+pleraque
agens+) _with the mob (representing his plans) as inspired_ (+visa+)
_by visions in the night or as matters of inspiration_ (+divinitus
mente monita+).
7. +sorte+ = _by an oracular response_ (which was often written on a
little tablet or _lot_, +sors+).
11. +aedem+, i.e. the _cella_ (_chapel_, the part enclosed within
the four side-walls) of the Temple of Jupiter Capitolinus.
13-14. +seu consulto seu temere vulgatae+ = _whether designedly or
undesignedly spread abroad_.
17. +humanae+ = _which one has for a mere man_. --Rawlins.
19. +tantam rerum molem+ = _so stupendous a task_. --R. In 212 or
211 B.C. the two brothers, Publius and Gnaeus Scipio, were totally
defeated by Hasdrubal and fell at the head of their troops. Scipio,
son of this P. Scipio, was in 210 B.C. sent to Spain, at the age of
27, as proconsul in command of a reinforcement of 11,000 men.]

+Character of Scipio.+ 'He was a man far above the average of his contemporaries, and possessed a greatness of mind which could not fail to rivet attention. He differed from the majority of generals by not only daring to conceive bold plans, but by contriving to carry them out.' --Ihne.

C34

SECOND PUNIC WAR, 218-202 B.C.

_Scipio takes New Carthage, 210 B.C._

Scipio ipse, ut ei nuntiatum est aestum decedere, quod per piscatores Tarraconenses nunc levibus cymbis, nunc, ubi eae siderent, vadis pervagatos stagnum compertum habebat, facilem pedibus ad murum transitum dari, eo secum armatos quingentos {5} duxit. Ubi urbem sine certamine intravere, pergunt inde, quanto maximo cursu poterant, ad eam portam, circa quam omne contractum certamen erat. In quod adeo intenti omnium non animi solum fuere, sed etiam oculi auresque pugnantium spectantiumque {10} et adhortantium pugnantes, ut nemo ante ab tergo senserit captam urbem, quam tela in aversos inciderunt et utrimque ancipitem hostem habebant. Tunc turbatis defensoribus metu et moenia capta, et porta intus forisque pariter refringi coepta; et mox {15} caedendo confectis ac distractis, ne iter impediretur, foribus armati impetum fecerunt. . . . Quoad dedita arx est, caedes tota urbe passim factae, nec ulli puberum qui obvius fuit parcebatur; tum signo dato caedibus finis factus; ad praedam victores versi, {20} quae ingens omnis generis fuit.

LIVY, xxvi. 45, 46 (sel.)

[Linenotes:
3. +vadis pervagatos stagnum+ = _made their way through the pool by
wading_ (+vadis+).
8. +contractum+ = _concentrated (confined)_.
13. +ancipitem+ = _double_, _twofold_, _on two opposite sides_.
15. +intus forisque+ = _both within and without_.
+foris+, adv. (an abl. form from an obsolete nom. +fora+) = _out of
doors_, _without_. Cf. +foras+ = _out through the doors_, _forth_.
16-17. +caedendo ... distractis foribus+ = _when the doors were
destroyed and broken up by blows_.]

+Carthago Nova+ (Carthagena) was founded by Hasdrubal (the uncle of Hannibal) 243 B.C. The city is situated on a promontory running out into the sea, and possesses one of the finest harbours in the world, protected by an island as by a natural breakwater. But it had a weak side, and this had been betrayed by fishermen to Scipio. During ebb-tide the water of the shallow pool W. of the town fell so much that it was fordable and the bottom was firm. Of this Scipio took advantage. He first made a feint attack on the N. wall and then led 500 men across the ford, who scaled the W. wall and opened the nearest gate from the inside.

+Result of its Capture.+ 'New Carthage, the key of Spain, the basis of operations against Italy, and the Carthaginian arsenal, was taken, thus determining the issue of the Spanish War.' --Ihne.

C35

SECOND PUNIC WAR, 218-202 B.C.

_Nero's famous March to the Metaurus, 207 B.C._

Praemissi (nuntii) per agrum Larinatem Marrucinum Frentanum Praetutianum, qua exercitum ducturus erat, ut omnes ex agris urbibusque commeatus paratos militi ad vescendum in viam deferrent, equos iumentaque alia producerent, ut {5} vehiculorum fessis copia esset. Ipse de toto exercitu civium sociorumque quod roboris erat delegit, sex milia peditum, mille equites. . . . Et hercule per instructa omnia ordinibus virorum mulierumque undique ex agris effusorum, inter vota ac preces et {10} laudes ibant: illos praesidia rei publicae, vindices urbis Romanae imperiique appellabant; in illorum armis dextrisque suam liberorumque suorum salutem ac libertatem repositam esse. Deos omnes deasque precabantur, ut illis faustum iter, felix pugna, matura {15} ex hostibus victoria esset, damnarenturque ipsi votorum, quae pro iis suscepissent, ut, quem ad modum nunc solliciti prosequerentur eos, ita paucos post dies laeti ovantibus victoria obviam irent. Invitare inde pro se quisque et offerre et fatigare {20} precibus, ut quae ipsis iumentisque usui essent, ab se potissimum sumerent; benigne omnia cumulata dare. Modestia certare milites, ne quid ultra usum necessarium sumerent; nihil morari, nec abscedere ab signis nec subsistere nisi cibum capientes: diem {25} ac noctem ire; vix quod satis ad naturale desiderium corporum esset, quieti dare.

LIVY, xxvii. 43, 45 (sel.)

+Context.+ Nero, on hearing from the captured Numidian horsemen of Hasdrubal's march and plans--to meet Hannibal in Umbria and then to march on Narnia and Rome--with 6000 picked foot and 1000 horse withdrew secretly from his camp before Hannibal at Canusium, and by a forced march joined his colleague Livius at the Metaurus.

[Linenotes:
1-2. +Larinatem+, etc., districts lying between Apulia and Umbria,
but not given in their geographical order.
15. +faustum+ (for _favostus_, _fav-eo_) = that which is done under
the blessing of the gods: +felix+ = that which succeeds in
consequence of having this blessing upon it. --Stephenson.
16-17. +damnarentur ... votorum+ = _condemned (to pay) their vows_.
Cf. Verg. _Voti reus_ = _bound to my vow_, i.e. bound to fulfilment.
23. +Modestia certare+ (sc. _cum iis_) +... sumerent+ = _the
soldiers were as moderate as they were pressing, refusing to take
anything_ ...--S.]

'Nero showed a resolution and a strategic ability which far surpassed the average qualifications of Roman generals.' --Ihne.

C36

SECOND PUNIC WAR, 218-202 B.C.

_The Metaurus, 207 B.C._

Fortes creantur fortibus et bonis;
Est in iuvencis, est in equis patrum
Virtus, neque imbellem feroces
Progenerant aquilae columbam; 32
Doctrina sed vim promovet insitam,
Rectique cultus pectora roborant;
Utcumque defecere mores,
Indecorant bene nata culpae. 36
Quid debeas, o Roma, Neronibus,
Testis Metaurum flumen et Hasdrubal
Devictus et pulcher fugatis
Ille dies Latio tenebris, 40
Qui primus alma risit adorea,
Dirus per urbes Afer ut Italas
Ceu flamma per taedas vel Eurus
Per Siculas equitavit undas. 44
Post hoc secundis usque laboribus
Romana pubes crevit, et impio
Vastata Poenorum tumultu
Fana deos habuere rectos. 48

HORACE, _Odes_, IV. iv. 29-48.

[Linenotes:
29-36. The thought is: 'It is true that scions of a good stock
must be good in men as well as in animals, but yet _education_
(+doctrina+ = _training_ l. 33) _brings out the innate force_.'
29. +fortibus et bonis.+ For the combined epithets cf. #kalos
kagathos#.
36. +Indecorant ... culpae+ = _faults disfigure_ (+indecorant =
dedecorant+) _scions of an honourable stock_ (+bene nata+).
37. +Neronibus+, e.g. M. Claudius Nero (the hero of Metaurus), and
the brothers Drusus and Tiberius (afterwards Emperor), stepsons of
Augustus.
41. +alma adorea+ = _with kindly (refreshing) success_.
43. +ceu flamma per taedas+ = _like fire through a pine-forest_.
--W.
44. +equitavit+ = _galloped_, _careered_, used of Hannibal, and, by
zeugma, with +flamma+ and +Eurus+.
46-47. +impio tumultu+ = _by the sacrilegious invasion_ (or _riot_,
_outrage_), possibly with reference to Livy's story (xxvi. 11) of
the plundering of the Temple of Feronia.
48. +rectos+ = _upright_, i.e. of the images supposed to have been
thrown down by Hannibal, and not set on their pedestals again.]

+Results of the Battle.+ 'The war in Italy was to all appearances finished, and it was on the Metaurus that the Romans conquered Spain.' --Ihne. When Hannibal recognised the head of his brother Hasdrubal, he foresaw the doom of Carthage:--

'Lost, lost is all:
A nation's hope, a nation's name,
They died with dying Hasdrubal.'
--C. (Hor. _Od._ IV. iv. 70-73).

C37

SECOND PUNIC WAR, 218-202 B.C.

_Hannibal leaves Italy, 203 B.C._