Recapitulation of Book 1
IN the previous book I have described how the Romans,
note
having subdued all Italy, began to aim at foreign
dominion; how they crossed to Sicily, and the
reasons of the war which they entered into
against the Carthaginians for the possession of
that island. Next I stated at what period they began the
formation of a navy; and what befell both the one side and
the other up to the end of the war; the consequence of which
was that the Carthaginians entirely evacuated Sicily, and the
Romans took possession of the whole island, except such parts
as were still under the rule of Hiero. Following these events
I endeavoured to describe how the mutiny of the mercenaries
against Carthage, in what is called the Libyan War, burst out;
the lengths to which the shocking outrages in it went; its surprises and extraordinary incidents, until its conclusion, and the
final triumph of Carthage. I must now relate the events which
immediately succeeded these, touching summarily upon each
in accordance with my original plan.
As soon as they had brought the Libyan war to a conclusion note
the Carthaginian government collected an army
and despatched it under the command of Hamilcar to Iberia. This general took over the command of the troops, and with his son Hannibal,
then nine years old, crossing by the Pillars of Hercules, set
about recovering the Carthaginian possessions in Iberia. note He
spent nine years in Iberia, and after reducing
many Iberian tribes by war or diplomacy to
obedience to Carthage he died in a manner worthy of his
great achievements; for he lost his life in a battle against the
most warlike and powerful tribes, in which he showed a conspicuous
-- 100 -- and even reckless personal gallantry. The Carthaginians appointed his son-in-law Hasdrubal to succeed him, who
was at the time in command of the fleet.
