Hannibal Defies the Romans
But the people of Saguntum kept sending ambassadors
note
to Rome, partly because they foresaw what was
coming, and trembled for their own existence,
and partly that the Romans might be kept fully
aware of the growing power of the Carthaginians in Iberia. For a long time the Romans disregarded
their words: but now they sent out some commissioners to see
what was going on. Just at that time Hannibal had finished
the conquests which he intended for that season, and was
going into winter quarters at the New Town again, which was in
a way the chief glory and capital town of the Carthaginians in
Iberia. He found there the embassy from Rome, granted them
an interview, and listened to the message with which they were
charged. It was a strong injunction to him to leave Saguntum
alone, as being under the protection of Rome; and not to cross
the Iber, in accordance with the agreement come to in the
time of Hasdrubal. note To this Hannibal answered with all the
heat of youth, inflamed by martial ardour,
recent success, and his long-standing hatred of
Rome. He charged the Romans with having a short time before,
when on some political disturbances arising in the town they
had been chosen to act as arbitrators, seized the opportunity to
put some of the leading citizens to death; and he declared
that the Carthaginians would not allow the Saguntines to be
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thus treacherously dealt with, for it was the traditional policy
of Carthage to protect all persons so wronged. At the same
time he sent home for instructions as to what he was to do
"in view of the fact that the Saguntines were injuring certain
of their subject allies." And altogether he was in a state of
unreasoning anger and violent exasperation, which prevented
him from availing himself of the real causes for war, and made
him take refuge in pretexts which would not admit of justification, after the manner of men whose passions master all
considerations of equity. How much better it would have
been to demand of Rome the restoration of Sardinia, and the
remission of the tribute, which she had taken an unfair
opportunity to impose on pain of a declaration of war. As
it was, he said not a word of the real cause, but alleged the
fictitious one of the matter of Saguntum; and so got the credit
of beginning the war, not only in defiance of reason, but still
more in defiance of justice. The Roman ambassadors, finding
that there must undoubtedly be a war, sailed to Carthage to
enter the same protest before the people there. They expected, however, that they would have to fight not in Italy,
but in Iberia, and that they would have Saguntum as a base of
operations.
