his first appearance in the field, he united in his own person the most masterly method of commanding, with the most perfect obedience to his superiors. Thus he was equally beloved by his generals, and the troops he was appointed to lead. 22. He was possessed of the greatest courage in opposing danger, and the greatest presence of mind in retiring from it. No fatigue was able to subdue his body, nor any misfortune to break his spirit: he was equally patient of heat and cold, and he took sustenance merely to content nature, not to delight his appetite. He was the best horseman, and the swiftest runner, of the time. 23. This great general, who is considered as the most skilful commander of antiquity, having overrun all Spain, and levied a large army composed of various nations, resolved/ to carry the war into Italy itself, as the Romans had before carried it into the dominions of Carthagel 24. For this purpose leaving Hanno with a sufficient force to guard his conquests in Spain, he crossed the Pyrene'an mountains into Gaul, with an army of fifty thousand foot, and nine thousand horse. He quickly traversed that country, which was then wild and extensive, and filled with nations that were his declared enemies. 25. The rapid current of the Rhone might intimidate the bravest, but Hannibal had to encounter in addition the fierce re sistance of the Gauls, who had lined the opposite bank. Roman army was also approaching to dispute his passage, and the difficulty of transporting the elephants across the A river threatened to produce a dangerous delay. Floats of timber covered with earth were prepared, which the elephants, deceived by their appearance, took for firm ground. As soon as the animals came upon the floats they were unmoored, and towed by boats across the stream. of winter when Even after leaving the Rhone innumerable other difficulties impeded Hannibal's enterprise, but he overcame them all with undaunted spirit, and in ten days arrived at the foot of the Alps, over which he was sage into Italy. 26. 11t was ins to explore a new pasthis astonishing project was undertaken. The season added new horrors to the scene. The prodigious height and tremendous steepness of these mountains, capped with snow; the people barbarous and fierce, dressed in skins, with long and shaggy hair; presented a picture that impressed the beholders with astonishment and terror. But nothing was capable of subduing the courage of the Carthaginian general. At the end of fifteen days, spent in crossing the Alps, he found himself in the plains of Italy, with about half his army; the other half having died of cold, or been cut off by the natives' Questions for Examination. 27. 1. What was the consequence of the conclusion of the first Punic war?2. What advantage did the Romans derive from this interval of peace? 3. What species of entertainment had they hitherto enjoyed ? 4. What succeeded these low buffooneries? 5. What was the next species, and from whom was it borrowed? 6. Did their former amusements still continue to please? 7 Were the Romans attentive only to the arts of peace?. 8. Who first incurred their resentment, and what was their offence? 9. What was the consequence? 10. Who next incurred the displeasure of the Romans? 11. What was their offence, and what favourable opportunity did they choose? 12. What steps were taken to oppose them? 13. Did the Gauls make any effectual resistance? 14. What was the result of the battle? 1 Some historians assert that Hannibal, in order to open a passage through some precipices, caused the rocks to be made red hot, and then split them by throwing vinegar on the heated masses. This was long regarded as an idle fable, but modern researches have proved that this mode of breaking rocks is still practised by the natives of Africa, and that the hardest masses are broken to pieces by the action of a cold fluid on the heated stone. 15. Did this victory decide the contest? 16. What advantages occurred to the Romans from this war? 17. Were the Carthaginians sincere in their overture for peace? 18. What was the consequence of this refusal ? 19. To whom was the conduct of the war committed by the Cartha ginians? 20. What rendered Hannibal particularly eligible to this post? 21. Was he a favourite with the army? 22. Describe his corporeal and mental qualifications. 23. What resolution did he adopt? 24. What measures did he take for that purpose? SECTION II. With Hannibal I cleft yon Alpine rocks, Then throw my carcase to the dogs of Rome. 2. Alac'rity, s. cheerfulness, readiness. 7. Oppo'nents, s adversaries, enemies. 9. Allay'ed, part. quieted, abated. 11. Ha'rassing, part. wearying, annoying. Inacces'sible, a. not to be approached or reached. YOUNG. 12. Impracticable, a. impossible, not to be done. Ex'tricate, v. to set free, to dizen tangle. 13. 25. Ex'igence, s. difficulty, distress. Com'petent, a. sufficient, equal to the occasion. 1. As soon as it was known at Rome that Han'nibal, at the head of an immense army, was crossing the Alps, the senate sent Scipio to oppose him the armies met near the little river Ticinus, and the Roman general was obliged to retreat with considerable loss. 2. In the mean time, Han'nibal, thus victorious, took the most prudent precautions to increase his army giving orders always to spare the possessions of the Gauls, while depredations were committed upon those of Rome and this, so, pleased that simple people, that they declared for him in great numbers, and flocked to his standard with alacrity 1 About two thousand foot and two hundred horse of these Gauls who served in Scip'io's army, in the night, when all was quiet in the Roman camp, entered the tents next them, murdered the Romans while they were asleep, and cutting off their heads, went over to Hannibal, who, contrary to true magnanimity, gave them a kind reception. 3. The second battle was fought upon the banks of the river Tre'bia. 4. The Carthaginian general, being apprised of the Roman impetuosity, of which he availed himself in almost every engagement, had sent off a thousand horse, each with a foot soldier behind, to cross the river, to ravage the enemy's country, and provoke them to engage. The Romans quickly routed this force. Seeming to be defeated, they took to the river; and were as eagerly pursued by Sempronius, the consul'. No sooner had his army attained the opposite bank, than he perceived himself half-conquered, his men being fatigued with wading up to their arm-pits, and quite benumbed by the intense coldness of the water. 5. A total rout ensued: twenty-six thousand of the Romans were either killed by the enemy, or drowned in attempting to repass the river./ A body of ten thousand men were all that survived; who, finding themselves enclosed on every side, broke desperately through the enemy's ranks, and fought, retreating, till they found shelter in the city of Placentia 2. The Balearians and light troops assailed the Roman infantry, while the elephants attacked and drove back the cavalry. Still the legionaries made a gallant defence, but they were taken in flank by a body of Carthaginians, commanded by Mago, who were placed in ambush for the purpose, and this unexpected attack threw them into confusion. The accompanying plan will at once explain the circumstances of the engagement. After this victory, Hannibal determined to penetrate farther into Italy. The route he chose was through the Fens, as being shorter and less likely to be occupied by the enemy, than any other; but the hardships his army encountered are almost incredible, being obliged to march three or four days and nights through mud and water without sleep or rest. Many of the beasts were left dead in the mud, and the hoofs came off the feet of many horses. 6. The third defeat the Romans sustained was at the lake of Thrasyme'ne, near to which was a chain of mountains, and between these and the lake a narrow passage 1 Scipio, his colleague, was then ill of a wound received in the former battle. 2 Now Placenza, a town of Italy, at the confluence of the Trebia and the Po. (Livius.) |