Hannibal Contacts the Celts
Though Hannibal had taken every precaution for the
security of Libya and Iberia, he yet waited for the messengers
whom he expected to arrive from the Celts. He had thoroughly
acquainted himself with the fertility and populousness of the
districts at the foot of the Alps and in the valley of the
Padus, as well as with the warlike courage of the men;
but most important of all, with their hostile feelings to Rome
derived from the previous war, which I described in my last
book, with the express purpose of enabling my readers to
follow my narrative. He therefore reckoned very much on
the chance of their co-operation; and was careful to send
messages to the chiefs of the Celts, whether dwelling actually
on the Alps or on the Italian side of them, with unlimited
promises; because he believed that he would be able to confine the war against Rome to Italy, if he could make his way
through the intervening difficulties to these parts, and avail
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himself of the active alliance of the Celts. When his messengers returned with a report that the Celts were ready to help
him and all eagerness for his approach; and that the passage
of the Alps, though laborious and difficult, was not, however,
impossible, he collected his forces from their winter quarters
at the approach of spring. Just before receiving this report
he had learnt the circumstances attending the Roman embassy
at Carthage. Encouraged by the assurance thus given him,
that he would be supported by the' popular sentiment at home,
he no longer disguised from his army that the object of the
forthcoming campaign was Rome; and tried to inspire them
with courage for the undertaking. He explained to them how
the Romans had demanded the surrender of himself and all
the officers of the army: and pointed out the fertility of the
country to which they were going, and the good-will and
active alliance which the Celts were prepared to offer them.
When the crowd of soldiers showed an enthusiastic readiness to accompany him, he dismissed the assembly, after
thanking them, and naming the day on which he intended
to march.
