But their present condition pleased them so well, that they chose rather to continue as they were, in Præneste; which is no weak proof of the good estate wherein the cities flourished that were subject to the Roman government. This siege of Casiline was not a little beneficial to the Romans; as having long detained Haninbal, and consumed much of his time, that might otherwise have been better spent. For winter overtook him, long before he could dispatch the business; which how to quit with his honour he knew not, when he was once engaged. Therefore he wintered at Capua; where he refreshed his army, or rather corrupted it, as all historians report, and made it effeminate; though, effeminate as it was, he therewithal did often beat the Romans in following times, as shall appear hereafter.

SECT. X.

Of the great supply that was decreed at Carthage to be sent to Hannibal into Italy. How by the malice of Hanno, and sloth or parsimony of the Carthaginians, the supply was too long deferred. That the riches of the Carthaginians grew faster than of the Romans. Of Fabius and other old Roman historians, how partial they were in their writings.

WHEN Mago, the son of Hamilcar, had spent some time about the taking in of such Italians as fell from the Romans after the battle at Cannæ, his brother Hannibal sent for him to Capua; and thence dispatched him away to Carthage, with the joyful message of victory. He told the Carthaginian senate, with how many Roman generals his brother had fought; what consuls he had chased, wounded,

or slain; how the stout Romans, that in the former war never shunned any occasion of fight, were now grown so calm, that they thought their dictator Fabius the only good captain, because he never durst adventure to come to battle; that, not without reason, their spirits were thus abated, since Hannibal had slain of them above two hundred thousand, and taken above fifty thousand prisoners. He further told them of the Brutians, Apulians, Samnites, Lucans, and other people of Italy, that, following the fortune of those great victories, had revolted unto the Carthaginians. Among the rest he magnified Capua, as a goodly city, and fit to be, not only (as already it was) head of all the Capuans, but the chief seat of their dominion in Italy; and there he inform ed them, how lovingly his brother had been entertained, where he meant to rest that winter, attending their supply. As for the war, he said it was even at an end, if they would now pursue it closely, and not give the Romans any breathing time, wherein to recollect themselves, and repair their broken forces. He willed them to consider, that the war was far from home, in the enemy's country; that so many battles had much diminished his brother's army; that the soldiers who had so well deserved, ought to be considered with liberal rewards; and that it was not good to burden their new Italian friends with exactions of money, corn, and other necessaries, but that these things must be sent from Carthage; which the victory would requite, with large amends. Finally, he caused the golden rings, taken from the fingers of the Roman knights that were slain, to be poured out openly in the court; which being measured, filled (as some say) three bushels, or (as others would rather have it) no more than one; adding, that by this might appear the greatness of the Roman calamity; forasmuch as none but the principal'

1 Thus Livy reports it; and credible it is, that while Rome was poor, the bra. very of private men was not altogether so great as the law would have permit

of that order were accustomed to wear that orna. ment.

cess.

Whoso considers the former Punic war, may easi ly find, that the state of Carthage never did receive, in all the durance thereof, any such hopeful advertisements from their captains abroad. Wherefore it is no marvel, if the errand of Mago found extraordinary welcome. In the vehemency of this joy, Himilco, a senator adverse to the faction of Hanno, is said to have demanded of that great persuader unto peace with Rome, whether he were still of opinion that Hannibal should be yielded up unto the Romans; or whether he would forbid them to give thanks unto the gods, for this their good sucHereunto though it be not likely that Hanno made the same formal answer which Livy puts into his mouth, calling the Carthaginian senators Patres conscripti, by a term proper to the Romans, and putting them in mind of his own shameful overthrow received at the islands Ægates,-yet the sum of his speech appears to have been no less malicious than it is set down; forasmuch as Hannibal himself, at his departure out of Italy, exclaimed against the wickedness of this Hanno; saying, that his hatred against the Barchines had oppressed their family, when otherwise it could not, with the ruin of Carthage. Therefore it may well be, that he made such a jest of these victories, as is reported; saying, it ill beseemed him, who had vanquished the Romans, to call for more help, as if he had been beaten; or him, that had taken their camp, filled forsooth with spoil, to make request for meat and money. To these cavils, if answer were needful, it might be said, that other booty than of horses and slaves, little was to be found in the Roman camp; the best of the soldiers carrying no other wealth into the field, than

ted; though otherwise jus annuli, the wearing of the ring, was the general privilege of the Roman Equites.

a few silver studs in the bridles and trappings of their horses*. If Hannibal had taken any main convoy of money and provisions, going to supply all wants of a great army in some other province, (as the two Scipios are afterwards said to have done, when they won the camp of Asdrubal, that carried along with him all the wealth of Spain, in his journey to Italy;) then might such an objection more justly have been made unto his demand of a supply. But the most likely part of Hanno's oration, and where he best might hope to prevail, contained a persuasion to use their fortune with moderation, and now to seek peace, whilst they had so much the better in war.

What would have been the issue of this counsel, if it had been followed, it were not easy to say. For though it be likely that the Roman pride would have brooked much indignity in freeing Italy from the danger of war; yet it is not likely that the faith, so often broken to the Carthaginians in former times, would have been kept entire, when any opinion of good advantage had called for revenge of so many shameful overthrows; since after this war ended, and a new league concluded, no submissive behaviour could preserve Carthage from ruin; any longer than until such time as Rome was at leisure from all other wars. This counsel, therefore, of Hanno, though it may seem temperate, was indeed very pestilent, and served only to hinder the performance of a noble resolution. For it was concluded by a main consent of the senate, that forty thousand Numidians, forty elephants, and great abundance of silver, should be sent over to Hannibal ; and that, besides these, twenty thousand foot, and four thousand horse, should be levied in Spain; not only to supply, as need should require, the armies in that province, but to be transported into Italy.

This great aid, had it been as carefully sent, as it was readily decreed, the Roman historians would not have found cause to tax the reckless improvidence of Hannibal, in forbearing to march directly from Cannæ to Rome, or in refreshing his army among the delights of Capua; the next year's work would have finished the business, with less dangerous adventure; and the pleasures which his men enjoyed among the Campans, would have been commended, as rewards by him well thought upon, wherewith to animate both them and others that were to be employed in the following war. But either the too much carelessness of those that were loth to make haste in laying out their money before extreme necessity required it, or the crafty malice of Hanno, and his fellows, working upon the private humours of men that had more feeling of their own commodity, than sense of the public need, utterly perverted, and made unprofitable in the performance, the order that had been so well set down. The elephants were sent', and some money peradventure; uncertain it is how long after. But those great forces of threescore thousand foot, and four thousand horse, came not into Italy, till much was lost of that which already had been gotten; and a great part of the old Carthaginian army was first consumed by time and sundry accidents of war. Only some small numbers, no way answering unto the proportion decreed, were sent into Spain; and the journey of Asdrubal thence through France into Italy much talked of; but he not enabled thereunto till many years were past, and the Romans had recovered their strength.

Here we may note, what great riches the Carthaginians drew into their city, both by the tributes received from their subjects, and by their wealthy trade of merchandise. For it is not long since the

3 Liv. 1. 26.