Cornelii Nepotis Vitae (Hamilton)/Hannibal

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 XXII. Hamilcar XXIV. M. Porcius Cato 

I[recensere]

Hannibal, filius Hamilcaris, Carthaginiensis. Si
Hannibal, son of Hamilcar, the Carthaginian. If
est verum, quod nemo dubitat, ut Romanus
it is true, which nobody doubts, that the Roman
populus superarit (sub.) omnes gentes virtute, est
people has surpassed all nations in bravery, it is
non infitiandum, Hannibalem praestitisse ceteros
not to be denied, Hannibal to have excelled other
imperatores prudentia, tanto quanto Romanus
commanders in prudence, by as much as the Roman
populus antecedat (sub.) cunctas nationes fortitudine.
people surpasses all nations in valour.
Nam quotiescumque congressus-est cum eo in
For as often as he engaged with it in
Italia, discessit semper superior. Quod nisi
Italy, he departed always superior. Because unless
debilitatus-esset (sub.) invidia suorum civium
he had been weakened by the envy of his own citizens
domi, videretur potuisse superare Romanos.
at home, he would seem to have been able to overcome the Romans.
Sed obtrectatio multorum devicit virtutem
But the detraction of many conquered the bravery
unius. Autem hic sic conservavit paternum
of one (alone). But he so preserved paternal
odium erga Romanos, relictum velut hereditate,
hatred towards the Romans, left as if by inheritance,
ut deposuerit (sub.) animam, prius-quam id; qui
that he laid down life, before that it; who
quidem, quum pulsus-esset (sub.) patria, et
indeed, when he had been driven from country, and
indigeret (sub.) alienarum opum, numquam
did need of foreign resources, never
destiterit (sub.) bellare animo cum Romanis.
desisted to war in mind with the Romans.


II[recensere]

Nam, ut omittam Philippum, quem absens
For, that I may omit Philip, whom being absent
reddidit hostem Romanis, Antiochus fuit
he rendered an enemy to the Romans, Antiochus was
potentissimus rex omnium his temporibus.
the most powerful king of all in these times.
Incendit hunc tanta cupiditate bellandi,
He inflamed him with so great desire of warring,
ut conatus-sit (sub.) inferre arma Italiae usque
that he endeavoured to bring arms to Italy even
a Rubro Mari. Ad quem cum legati
from Red Sea. To whom when the deputies
Romanorum venissent (sub.), qui explorarent
of the Romans had come, who should discover
de voluntate eius, que darent operam
concerning the will of him, and should give work (use their endeavours)
clandestinis consiliis, ut
by secret counsels, that
adducerent Hannibalem in suspicionem regi,
they might bring Hannibal into suspicion to the king,
tamquam corruptum ab ipsis, sentire alia,
as if corrupted by themselves, to feel other (things) (to have different sentiments),
atque antea, neque
than before, nor
fecissent (sub.) id frustra, que Hannibal
had they done that in vain, and Hannibal
comperisset (sub.) id, que vidisset (sub.) se
had found out that, and had seen himself
segregari ab interioribus consiliis, tempore
to be separated from interior counsels, time
dato, adiit ad regem, que quum
being given, he went to the king, and when
commemorasset (sub.) multa ei de sua fide,
he had mentioned many (things) to him of his faith,
et odio in Romanos, adiunxit hoc: Meus
and hatred against the Romans, he added this: My
pater, Hamilcar, inquit, me puerulo,
father, Hamilcar, says he, I (being) a little boy,
utpote nato non amplius novem annos,
inasmuch as born not more than nine years,
proficiscens imperator in Hispaniam Carthagine,
setting out commander into Spain from Carthage,
immolavit hostias Iovi, optimo, maximo.
sacrificed victims to Jupiter, the best, the greatest.
Dum quae divina res conficiebatur, quaesivit
Whilst which divine thing was performed, he sought
a me, ne vellem (sub.) proficisci secum
from me, whether I did will to set out with him
in castra? Quum accepissem (sub.) id libenter,
into the camps? When I had received that willingly,
atque coepissem (sub.) petere ab eo, dubitaret
and had begun to ask from him, he should doubt (hesitate)
ne ducere; tum ille inquit, Faciam,
not to lead (me); then he says, I will do (it),
si dederis (sub.) mihi fidem, quam postulo.
if thou wilt give to me the pledge, which I demand.
Simul adduxit me ad aram, apud quam
At the same time he led me to the altar, at which
instituerat sacrificare, que iussit, ceteris
he had commenced to sacrifice, and he ordered (me), the others
remotis, tenentem eam, iurare, me
being removed, holding it, to swear, me
fore numquam in amicitia cum Romanis.
to be about to be never in friendship with the Romans.
Ego conservavi id iusiurandum datum patri,
I have preserved that oath given to father,
usque ad hanc aetatem, ita, ut debeat (sub.) esse
even to this age, so, that it ought to be
dubium nemini, quin futurus-sim (sub.) eadem
doubtful to no one, but that I am about to be in the same
mente reliquo tempore. Quare si
mind in remaining time. Wherefore if
cogitabis quid amice de Romanis,
thou shalt think any (thing) friendly of the Romans,
feceris (sub.) non imprudenter, si celaris (sub.)
thou wilt do not imprudently, if thou shalt conceal (it from)
me; quum quidem parabis bellum,
me; when indeed thou shalt prepare war,
frustraberis teipsum, si posueris (sub.) me
thou wilt disappoint thyself, if thou wilt place me
non principem in eo.
not first in it.


III[recensere]

Igitur hac aetate, qua diximus,
Therefore in this age, in which we have said,
profectus-est cum patre in Hispaniam, post
he set out with father into Spain, after
obitum cuius, Hasdrubale suffecto imperatore,
the death of whom, Hasdrubal being substituted commander,
praefuit omni equitatui. Hoc quoque interfecto,
he commanded to all the cavalry. He also being slain,
exercitus detulit summam imperii ad eum.
the army conveyed the chiefdom of command to him.
Id, delatum Carthaginem, comprobatum-est
That, being carried (to) Carthage, was approved of
publice. Sic Hannibal, [natus] minor quinque et
publicly. Thus Hannibal, [born] less than five and
viginti annis, factus imperator, proximo
twenty years, being made commander, in next
triennio subegit bello omnes gentes
space of three years subdued in war all the nations
Hispaniae; expugnavit vi Saguntum, foederatam
of Spain; reduced by force Saguntum, an allied
civitatem: comparavit tres maximos exercitus.
city: prepared (raised) three very great armies.
Misit unum ex his in Africam, reliquit
He sent one out of these into Africa, he left
alterum cum Hasdrubale fratre in Hispania,
another with Hasdrubal the brother in Spain,
duxit tertium secum in Italiam. Transiit
he led a third with himself into Italy. He passed
Pyrenaeum saltum. Quacumque fecit iter,
the Pyrenaean forest. Wherever he made journey,
conflixit cum omnibus incolis, dimisit
he engaged with all the inhabitants, he dismissed
neminem nisi victum. Posteaquam venit ad
no one unless conquered. After that he came to
Alpes, que seiungunt Italiam ab Gallia, quas
the Alps, which separate Italy from Gaul, which
nemo ante eum transierat umquam praeter
no one before him had passed ever except
Graium Herculem, (quo facto is hodie
the Grecian Hercules, (from which deed that to-day
appellatur Graius saltus,) concidit Alpicos
is called Grecian forest,) he cut down the Alpians
conantes prohibere transitu, patefecit loca,
endeavouring to hinder (him) from passage, he opened places,
muniit itinera, [que] effecit, ut ornatus
he fortified roads, [and] effected, that an equipped
elephantus posset (sub.) ire ea, qua antea
elephant was able to go by that(way), where before
unus inermis homo poterat vix repere. Hac
one unarmed man was able scarcely to creep. By this
traduxit copias, que pervenit in Italiam.
he led over forces, and arrived into Italy.


IV[recensere]

Conflixerat apud Rhodanum cum Publio
He had engaged at the Rhone with Publius
Cornelio Scipione consule, que pepulerat eum.
Cornelius Scipio the consul, and had beaten him.
Decernit cum hoc eodem [de] Clastidio
He contends with this same [concerning] Clastidium
apud Padum; dimittit inde saucium ac
at the Po; he dismisses (him) thence wounded and
fugatum. Idem Scipio, cum collega Tiberio
routed. The same Scipio, with colleague Tiberius
Longo, venit tertio adversus eum apud Trebiam.
Longus, comes thirdly against him at Trebia.
Cum his conseruit manum, profligavit utrosque.
With these he joined hand (engaged), he routed both.
Inde transiit Apenninum per Ligures,
Thence he passed over the Apennine through the Ligurians,
petens Etruriam. Hoc itinere afficitur
seeking Etruria. In this journey he is affected
morbo oculorum adeo gravi, ut usus-sit (sub.)
with a disease of the eyes so heavy, that he used
dextro numquam aeque bene postea. Quum
the right never equally well afterwards. When
etiam nunc premeretur (sub.) qua valetudine, que
even now he was pressed by which ill-health, and
ferretur (sub.) lectica, occidit Caium Flaminium
was carried in couch, he killed Caius Flaminius
consulem apud Trasimenum, circumventum insidiis
the consul at Trasimenus, circumvented by snares
cum exercitu: neque multo post, Caium Centenium
with the army: nor much after, Caius Centenius
praetorem, occupantem saltus cum delecta manu.
the praetor, occupying the forests with a chosen band.
Hinc pervenit in Apuliam. Ibi duo consules,
Hence he arrived into Apulia. There two consuls,
Caius Terentius et Lucius Aemilius, venerunt obviam
Caius Terentius and Lucius Aemilius, came opposite
ei. Fugavit exercitus utriusque uno praelio,
to him. He routed the armies of each in one battle,
occidit Paullum consulem, et aliquot consulares
he killed Paullus the consul, and some consular (men)
praeterea, in his Cneium Servilium Geminum,
besides, in (among) these Cneius Servilius Geminus,
qui fuerat consul superiore anno.
who had been consul in former year.


V[recensere]

Hac pugna pugnata, profectus-est Romam,
This fight being fought, he set out (to) Rome,
nullo resistente. Moratus-est in montibus propinquis
no one resisting. He delayed in the mountains near
urbis. Quum habuisset (sub.) castra ibi aliquot
of the city. When he had had camps there some
dies, et reverteretur (sub.) Capuam, Quintus Fabius
days, and was returning (to) Capua, Quintus Fabius
Maximus, Romanus dictator, obiecit se ei in
Maximus, Roman dictator, opposed himself to him in
Falerno agro. Clausus angustiis locorum,
Falernian field. Being shut up in the straits of places,
expedivit se noctu hinc sine ullo detrimento
he freed himself by night hence without any loss
exercitus, dedit verba callidissimo imperatori
of army, he gave words (deceived) to most cunning commander
Fabio. Namque nocte obducta, incendit
Fabius. For night being brought on, he kindled
sarmenta deligata in cornibus iuvencorum, que
twigs tied in (on) horns of oxen, and
immisit magnam multitudinem eius generis dispalatam.
sent on a great multitude of that kind scattered.
Quo repentino obiectu viso, iniecit tantum
Which sudden spectacle being seen, he threw so great
terrorem exercitui Romanorum, ut nemo
terror to the army of the Romans, that no one
ausus-sit (sub.) egredi extra vallum. Non
dared to go out without the rampart. Not
ita multis diebus post hanc rem gestam,
so (very) many days after this thing being carried on,
fugavit Marcum Minucium Rufum, magistrum
he routed Marcus Minucius Rufus, master
equitum, pari imperio ac dictatorem, productum
of the horsemen, in equal command as the dictator, being brought
in praelium dolo. Absens in Lucanis,
into battle by guile. Being absent in the Lucanians,
sustulit Titum Sempronium Gracchum, iterum
he took off Titus Sempronius Gracchus, a second time
consulem, inductum in insidias. Pari modo
consul, led into snares. In like manner
interfecit apud Venusiam Marcum Claudium Marcellum,
he killed at Venusia Marcus Claudius Marcellus,
quinquies consulem. Est longum enumerare
five times consul. It is long (tedious) to enumerate
praelia. Quare hoc unum erit satis
battles. Wherefore this one (thing) will be enough
dictum, ex quo possit intelligi,
said, out of which it may be able to be understood,
quantus ille fuerit (sub.): quamdiu fuit in
how great he was: so long as he was in
Italia, nemo restitit ei in acie, nemo post
Italy, nobody resisted to him in battle, nobody after
Cannensem pugnam posuit castra in campo
Cannensian fight placed camps in plain
adversus eum.
against him.


VI[recensere]

Hic invictus revocatus defensum patriam
He unconquered being recalled to defend country
gessit bellum adversus filium Publii Scipionis,
carried on war against the son of Publius Scipio,
quem ipse fugaverat, primum apud Rhodanum,
whom himself had routed, first at the Rhone,
iterum apud Padum, tertio apud Trebiam.
again at the Po, thirdly at Trebia.
Facultatibus patriae iam exhaustis, cupivit
The resources of the country now being exhausted, he desired
componere bellum cum hoc in-praesentiarum, quo
to finish the war with him for the present, that
valentior congrederetur postea. Convenit
more powerful he might engage afterwards. It was agreed upon
in colloquium; conditiones convenerunt non.
unto the conference; the conditions were agreed upon not.
Paucis diebus post id factum, conflixit cum
In few days after that deed, he engaged with
eodem apud Zamam; pulsus, (incredibile
the same at Zama; being beaten, (incredible
dictu,) biduo et duabus noctibus pervenit
to be told,) in two days and in two nights he arrived
Hadrumetum, quod abest a Zama circiter
(to) Hadrumetum, which is distant from Zama about
trecenta millia passuum. In hac fuga,
three hundred thousands of paces. In this flight,
Numidae, qui excesserant ex acie simul
the Numidians, who had come out from battle together
cum eo, insidiati-sunt ei, quos non solum
with him, waylaid to him, whom not only
effugit, sed etiam oppressit ipsos.
he escaped, but also oppressed themselves.
Hadrumeti collegit reliquos ex fuga. Novis
At Hadrumetum he collected the rest out of flight. By new
delectibus, paucis diebus, contraxit multos.
levies, in few days, he collected many.


VII[recensere]

Quum esset (sub.) occupatus acerrime in
When he was occupied most actively in
apparando, Carthaginienses composuerunt bellum cum
preparing, the Carthaginians ended war with
Romanis. Ille nihilo secius postea praefuit
the Romans. He by nothing the less afterwards commanded
exercitui, que gessit res in Africa [que
to the army, and carried on things in Africa [and
item Mago frater eius] usque ad consules
likewise Mago the brother of him] even to the consuls
Publium Sulpicium et Caium Aurelium. Enim
Publius Sulpicius and Caius Aurelius. For
his magistratibus, Carthaginienses legati
these (being) magistrates, Carthaginian ambassadors
venerunt Romam, qui agerent gratias senatui
came (to) Rome, who should act thanks to the senate
que Romano populo, quod fecissent (sub.) pacem
and to the Roman people, because they had made peace
cum his, que ob eam rem donarent
with them, and on account of that thing should present
eos aurea corona, que simul
them with a golden crown, and at the same time
peterent, ut obsides eorum essent Fregellis,
should ask, that the hostages of them might be at Fregellae,
que captivi redderentur. Responsum-est his
and the captives might be returned. It was answered to these
ex senatus-consulto: Munus
from (according to) the decree of the senate: The present
eorum esse gratum que acceptum; obsides
of them to be agreeable and accepted; the hostages
futuros, quo loco rogarent (sub.); remissuros
about to be, in what place they did request; about to send back
non captivos, quod haberent (sub.) Hannibalem,
not the captives, because they had Hannibal,
opera cuius bellum susceptum-foret (sub.),
by means of whom the war had been undertaken,
inimicissimum Romano nomini, etiam nunc apud
most hostile to the Roman name, even now at
exercitum cum imperio, que item Magonem
the army with command, and likewise Mago
fratrem eius. Hoc responso cognito,
the brother of him. This answer being known,
Carthaginienses revocarunt domum Hannibalem que
the Carthaginians recalled home Hannibal and
Magonem. Ut rediit huc, factus-est
Mago. When he returned hither, he was made
praetor, vigesimo et secundo anno, post-quam
praetor, in the twentieth and second year, after that
fuerat rex. Enim ut consules Romae, sic
he had been king. For as the consuls at Rome, so
bini annui reges creabantur quotannis Carthagine.
two annual kings were created yearly at Carthage.
In eo magistratu Hannibal praebuit se
In that magistracy Hannibal afforded himself
pari diligentia, ac fuerat in bello. Namque
with equal diligence, as he had been in war. For
effecit, non solum ut esset (sub.) pecunia ex
he effected, not only that there was money from
novis vectigalibus, quae penderetur Romanis
new taxes, which should be paid to the Romans
ex foedere, sed etiam superesset (sub.),
out of (according to) treaty, but also there did remain,
ut poneretur in aerario. Deinde, anno
which should be placed in treasury. Then, in the year
post praeturam, Marco Claudio, Lucio
after the praetorship, Marcus Claudius, Lucius
Furio consulibus, legati venerunt Roma
Furius being consuls, ambassadors came from Rome
Carthaginem. Hannibal ratus hos missos
(to) Carthage. Hannibal having supposed them sent
gratia sui exposcendi, clam conscendit
for the sake of himself to be demanded, secretly ascended
navem, prius-quam senatus daretur (sub.)
a ship, before that the senate (a hearing) was given
his, atque profugit in Syriam ad Antiochum.
to them, and fled into Syria to Antiochus.
Hac re facta palam, Poeni miserunt
This thing being done openly, the Carthaginians sent
duas naves quae comprehenderent eum, si
two ships which should seize him, if
possent (sub.) consequi; publicarunt bona
they could to overtake; they confiscated the goods
eius; disiecerunt domum a fundamentis;
of him; they threw down house from the foundations;
iudicarunt ipsum exsulem.
they judged himself an exile.


VIII[recensere]

At Hannibal tertio anno post-quam
But Hannibal in the third year after that
profugerat domo, Lucio Cornelio, Quinto
he had fled from home, Lucius Cornelius, Quintus
Minucio consulibus, accessit cum quinque
Minucius (being) consuls, approached with five
navibus Africam in finibus Cyrenaeorum,
ships (to) Africa in the territories of the Cyreneans,
si forte posset inducere Carthaginienses
if perhaps he might be able to induce the Carthaginians
ad bellum, spe que fiducia Antiochi,
to war, by the hope and confidence of Antiochus,
cui persuaserat iam, ut proficisceretur
to whom he had persuaded already, that he might set out
in Italiam cum exercitibus. Huc excivit
into Italy with armies. Hither he called out
fratrem Magonem. Ubi Poeni
(his) brother Mago. When the Carthaginians
resciverunt id, affecerunt Magonem absentem
understood that, they affected Mago being absent
eadem poena, qua fratrem. Quum
with the same punishment, with which brother. When
illi, rebus desperatis, solvissent (sub.) naves, ac
they, affairs being desperate, had loosed ships, and
dedissent (sub.) vela ventis, Hannibal pervenit ad
had given sails to the winds, Hannibal arrived to
Antiochum. Duplex memoria prodita-est de
Antiochus. A double record has been transmitted of
interitu Magonis. Namque alii reliquerunt scriptum,
the death of Mago. For some have left (it) written,
naufragio, alii eum interfectum a servis
by shipwreck, others him slain by the slaves
ipsius. Autem si Antiochus voluisset (sub.)
of himself. But if Antiochus had been willing
parere consiliis eius, tam in bello
to obey to the counsels of him, as well in the war
agendo, quam instituerat in suscipiendo,
to be acted, as he had determined in (it) to be undertaken,
dimicasset propius Tiberi quam Thermopylis
he would have fought nearer to the Tiber than to Thermopylae
de summa imperii. Quem etsi
concerning the chiefdom of empire. Whom although
videbat conari multa stulte, tamen
he did see to endeavour many (things) foolishly, yet
deseruit in nulla re. Praefuit paucis
he forsook in no thing. He commanded to few
navibus, quas iussus-erat ducere ex Syria
ships, which he had been ordered to lead out of Syria
in Asiam, que his conflixit adversus classem
into Asia, and with these he engaged against the fleet
Rhodiorum in Pamphylio mari. Quo
of the Rhodians in the Pamphylian sea. In which
quum sui superarentur (sub.) multitudine
when his own (men) were surpassed by the multitude
adversariorum, ipse fuit superior, cornu
of adversaries, himself was superior, in the wing
quo gessit rem.
in which he carried on the thing.


IX[recensere]

Antiocho fugato, verens ne dederetur,
Antiochus being routed, fearing lest he should be given up,
quod sine dubio accidisset, si
which without doubt would have happened, if
fecisset (sub.) potestatem sui, venit Cretam
he had made power of himself, he came (to) Crete
ad Gortynios, ut ibi consideraret quo
to the Gortynians, that there he might consider whither
conferret se. Autem vir callidissimus
he should betake himself. But the man most cunning
omnium vidit, se fore magno periculo,
of all saw, himself to be about to be in great danger,
nisi providisset quid, propter
unless he should have provided something, on account of
avaritiam Cretensium. Enim portabat magnam
the avarice of the Cretans. For he did carry great
pecuniam secum, de qua sciebat famam
money with him, of which he did know the report
exiisse. Itaque capit tale consilium.
to have gone out. Therefore he takes such counsel.
Complet complures amphoras plumbo; operit
He fills several vessels with lead; he covers
summas auro et argento. Deponit has in
the tops with gold and silver. He deposits these in
templo Dianae, principibus praesentibus;
the temple of Diana, the chief men being present;
simulans, se credere suas fortunas fidei
feigning, himself to trust his fortunes to the faith
illorum. His inductis in errorem, complet omnes
of them. These being led into error, he fills all
aeneas statuas, quas portabat secum, sua
the brazen statues, which he did carry with him, with his
pecunia, que abiicit eas in propatulo domi.
money, and throws them in an open (place) at home.
Gortynii custodiunt templum magna cura,
The Gortynians guard the temple with great care,
non tam a ceteris, quam ab Hannibale, ne
not so much from others, as from Hannibal, lest
ille tolleret que duceret secum,
he should take away and should lead with him,
his inscientibus.
they being ignorant.


X[recensere]

Sic, suis rebus conservatis, omnibus
Thus, his own things being preserved, all
Cretensibus illusis, Poenus pervenit ad
the Cretans being deceived, the Carthaginian arrived to
Prusiam in Pontum, apud quem fuit
Prusias into Pontus, at whom he was
eodem animo erga Italiam, neque egit
in the same mind towards Italy, nor acted he
quidquam aliud, quam armavit et exercuit
any other (thing), than armed and exercised (importuned)
regem adversus Romanos. Quem quum
the king against the Romans. Whom when
videret (sub.) esse minus robustum domesticis
he did see to be less strong in domestic
rebus, conciliabat ceteros reges, que adiungebat
things, he did conciliate the other kings, and did join
bellicosas nationes. Pergamenus rex Eumenes,
warlike nations. The Pergamenian king Eumenes,
amicissimus Romanis, dissidebat ab eo, que
most friendly to the Romans, did differ from him, and
bellum gerebatur inter eos et mari
war was carried on between them both by sea
et terra. Quo Hannibal cupiebat
and by land. On which account Hannibal did desire
magis eum opprimi. Sed Eumenes utrobique
more him to be oppressed. But Eumenes in both (by land and water)
valebat plus propter societatem
did prevail more on account of the alliance
Romanorum, quem si removisset, arbitrabatur
of the Romans, whom if he should have removed, he did think
cetera fore faciliora sibi.
the other (things) to be about to be more easy to himself.
Iniit talem rationem ad interficiendum hunc.
He went into such method to slaying him.
Paucis diebus decreturi-erant classe.
In few days they were about to contend with fleet.
Superabatur multitudine navium. Erat
He was surpassed in multitude of ships. It was
pugnandum dolo, quum esset (sub.) non par
to be fought by guile, when he was not equal
armis. Imperavit quam-plurimas venenatas
in arms. He ordered as-many-as possible venomous
serpentes colligi vivas, que eas coniici
serpents to be collected alive, and these to be thrown
in fictilia vasa. Quum confecisset (sub.)
into earthen vessels. When he had accomplished (collected)
magnam multitudinem harum, die ipso,
a great multitude of these, in the day itself,
quo facturus-erat navale praelium,
in which he was about to make a naval battle,
convocat classiarios, que praecipit his,
he calls together the sailors, and orders to them,
ut omnes concurrant in navem regis
that all may run together against the ship of the king
Eumenis unam, habeant satis tantum
Eumenes alone, they may have (esteem it) enough only
defendere se a ceteris. Illos consecuturos
to defend themselves from the others. Them about to attain
id facile multitudine serpentium. Autem
that easily by the multitude of serpents. But
se facturum ut scirent, in qua
himself about to make that they should know, in what
nave rex veheretur; quem si aut
ship the king might be carried; whom if either
cepissent, aut interfecissent, pollicetur
they should have taken, or should have slain, he promises
fore magno praemio his.
to be about to be to (as a) great reward to them.


XI[recensere]

Tali cohortatione militum facta, classis
Such exhortation of the soldiers being made, the fleet
deducitur in praelium ab utrisque. Acie
is led forth into battle by both. The line
quarum constituta, prius-quam signum pugnae
of which being arranged, before that the signal of fight
daretur (sub.), Hannibal, ut faceret
was given, Hannibal, that he might make (it)
palam suis, quo loco Eumenes esset (sub.),
openly to his (men), in which place Eumenes was,
mittit tabellarium in scapha cum caduceo,
sends a letter-carrier in a boat with a herald's rod,
qui, ubi pervenit ad naves adversariorum, que
who, when he arrived to the ships of adversaries, and
ostendens epistolam, professus-est se quaerere
shewing the epistle, professed himself to seek
regem; statim deductus-est ad Eumenem,
the king; immediately he was brought to Eumenes,
quod nemo dubitabat, aliquid scriptum-esse
because nobody did doubt, something to have been written
de pace. Tabellarius, nave ducis
of peace. The letter-carrier, the ship of the leader
declarata suis, recepit se
being shown to his own (people), received (betook) himself
eodem, unde ierat. At Eumenes,
to the same place, whence he had gone. But Eumenes,
epistola soluta, reperit nihil in ea, nisi
the epistle being loosed, found nothing in it, unless
quod pertineret (sub.) ad irridendum eum. Etsi
which did pertain to mocking him. Although
mirabatur caussam cuius, neque reperiebatur,
he did wonder at the cause of which, nor was it found,
tamen dubitavit non committere praelium
yet he doubted not to join (engage) battle
statim. In concursu horum, Bithyni,
immediately. In the onset of them, the Bithynians,
praecepto Hannibalis, universi adoriuntur
by order of Hannibal, whole (all together) attack
navem Eumenis, quum rex posset (sub.) non
the ship of Eumenes, when the king could not
sustinere vim quorum, petit salutem
to sustain the force of whom, he sought safety
fuga; quam consecutus-esset non, nisi
in flight; which he would have obtained not, unless
recepisset (sub.) se intra sua praesidia,
he had betaken himself within his own garrisons,
quae collocata-erant in proximo littore. Quum
which had been placed in (on) the nearest shore. When
reliquae Pergamenae naves premerent (sub.)
the remaining Pergamenian ships did press
adversarios acrius, repente fictilia vasa,
adversaries more briskly, suddenly the earthen vessels,
de quibus fecimus mentionem supra, coepta-sunt
of which we have made mention above, were begun
coniici in eas, quae iacta initio
to be thrown into them, which being thrown in the beginning
excitarunt risum pugnantibus, nec poterat
excited laughter to (those) fighting, nor could it
intelligi, quare id fieret (sub.). Autem
to be understood, wherefore that was done. But
post-quam conspexerunt naves completas serpentibus,
after that they saw the ships filled with serpents,
perterriti nova re, quum viderent (sub.)
being terrified with the new thing, when they did see
non quid potissimum vitarent, averterunt
not what chiefly they should avoid, they turned
puppes, que retulerunt se ad sua
the sterns, and betook themselves to their
nautica castra. Sic Hannibal consilio superavit
naval camps. Thus Hannibal by counsel surpassed
arma Pergamenorum, neque tum solum, sed
the arms of the Pergamenians, nor then only, but
saepe alias, pari prudentia pepulit
often at other times, with equal prudence he beat
adversarios pedestribus copiis.
adversaries with pedestrian (land) forces.


XII[recensere]

Dum quae geruntur in Asia,
Whilst which (things) are being carried on in Asia,
accidit casu, ut legati Prusiae
it happened by chance, that the ambassadors of Prusias
Romae conarent (sub.) apud Lucium Quintium
at Rome did sup at (with) Lucius Quintius
Flamininum consularem, atque ibi, mentione
Flamininus a consular (man), and there, mention
facta de Hannibale, unus ex his diceret (sub.),
being made of Hannibal, one of them did say,
eum esse in regno Prusiae. Flamininus
him to be in the kingdom of Prusias. Flamininus
postero die detulit id senatui.
on the following day related that to the senate.
Conscripti Patres, qui existimabant se
The conscript Fathers, who did think themselves
futuros numquam sine insidiis, Hannibale
about to be never without snares, Hannibal
vivo, miserunt legatos in Bithyniam,
(being) alive, sent ambassadors into Bithynia,
in his Flamininum, qui peterent ab
in (among) these Flamininus, who should seek from
rege, haberet ne suum inimicissimum
the king, he should have not their greatest enemy
secum, que dederet sibi. Prusias
with him, and should give up to themselves. Prusias
ausus-est non negare his; recusavit illud,
dared not to deny to them; he refused that (this),
postularent ne id fieri a se,
they should demand not that to be done by himself,
quod esset (sub.) adversus ius hospitii;
which was against the right of hospitality;
ipsi comprehenderent, si possent (sub.);
themselves might seize, if they could;
inventuros facile locum ubi esset (sub.).
about to find easily the place where he was.
Enim Hannibal tenebat se uno loco in
For Hannibal did hold himself in one place in
castello, quod datum-erat ei muneri
a castle, which had been given to him to (as) a present
ab rege: que aedificarat id sic, ut
by the king: and had built that so, that
haberet exitum sibi in omnibus partibus
he might have an exit to himself in all parts
aedificii, verens semper, ne veniret usu,
of the building, fearing always, lest it should come in use,
quod accidit. Quum legati Romanorum
which happened. When the ambassadors of the Romans
venissent (sub.) huc, ac circumdedissent (sub.)
had come hither, and had surrounded
domum eius multitudine, puer prospiciens
the house of him with a multitude, the boy looking out
ab ianua dixit Hannibali, plures armatos
from the gate said to Hannibal, more armed (men)
apparere praeter consuetudinem. Qui imperavit
to appear beyond custom. Who commanded
ei, ut circumiret omnes fores
to him, that he should go around all the doors
aedificii, ac renuntiaret propere sibi,
of the building, and should report quickly to himself,
num obsideretur (sub.) eodem modo undique.
whether it was besieged in the same manner on all sides.
Quum puer celeriter renuntiasset (sub.) quid
When the boy quickly had reported what
esset (sub.), que ostendisset (sub.) omnes exitus
it was, and had shewn all the exits
occupatos, sensit, id factum non
occupied, he perceived, that (to be) done not
fortuito, sed se peti, neque vitam
by chance, but himself to be sought, nor life
esse retinendam sibi diutius. Quam ne
to be retained to (by) himself longer. Which lest
dimitteret alieno arbitrio, memor pristinarum
he should lose by foreign will, mindful of former
virtutum, sumsit venenum, quod consueverat
virtues, he took poison, which he had used
semper habere secum.
always to have with himself.


XIII[recensere]

Sic fortissimus vir, perfunctus multis que
Thus the most brave man, having discharged many and
variis laboribus, acquievit septuagesimo anno. Quibus
various labours, rested in the seventieth year. Who
consulibus interierit (sub.), convenit non.
(being) consuls he died, it is agreed not.
Namque Atticus reliquit scriptum in suo annali,
For Atticus has left (it) written in his annal,
mortuum, Marco Claudio Marcello, Quinto
to have died, Marcus Claudius Marcellus, Quintus
Fabio Labeone consulibus: at Polybius, Lucio
Fabius Labeo (being) consuls: but Polybius, Lucius
Aemilio Paullo et Cneio Baebio Tamphilo;
Aemilius Paullus and Cneius Baebius Tamphilus;
autem Sulpicius, Publio Cornelio Cethego, Marco
but Sulpicius, Publius Cornelius Cethegus, Marcus
Baebio Tamphilo. Atque hic tantus vir que
Baebius Tamphilus. And this so great man and
districtus tantis bellis tribuit nonnihil temporis
busied in so great wars bestowed something of time
litteris. Namque sunt aliquot libri eius confecti
to letters. For there are some books of him executed
Graeco sermone: in his, ad
in the Grecian speech: in (among) these, to
Rhodios de rebus Cneii Manlii
the Rhodians of the things of Cneius Manlius
Vulsonis gestis in Asia. Multi prodiderunt
Vulso carried on in Asia. Many have delivered
memoriae bella huius gesta, sed duo ex
to memory the wars of him carried on, but two of
his, qui fuerunt cum eo in castris, que
these, who were with him in camps, and
vixerunt simul, quamdiu fortuna passa-est, Silenus,
lived together, as long as fortune suffered, Silenus,
et Sosilus Lacedaemonius. Atque Hannibal usus-est
and Sosilus the Lacedemonian. And Hannibal used
hoc Sosilo doctore Graecarum litterarum. Sed
this Sosilus (as) teacher of Grecian letters. But
est tempus nos facere finem huius libri,
it is time us to make an end of this book,
et explicare imperatores Romanorum, quo
and to unfold the commanders of the Romans, that
factis utrorumque collatis, possit
the actions of both being compared, it may be able
facilius iudicari, qui viri sint (sub.) praeferendi.
more easily to be judged, which men are to be preferred.