[Linenotes: 3. +Hannibale duce.+ Polybius called the war of which Hannibal was the life and soul the ‘Hannibalian War.’ 6. +his ipsis+, sc. _Romanis Poenisque_, with _validiores_. 6-7. +virium aut roboris+ = _offensive or defensive strength_. --R. 8. +expertas+ = _tested_, in a passive sense. 9. +ut propius ... vicerunt+, e.g. after Cannae, 216 B.C. 12. +ultro inferrent arma+ = _should presume to attack_. --Dimsdale. 13. +Poenis+, sc. _indignantibus_. +superbe avareque.+ ‘When the war of the mercenaries broke out in Africa (241-238 B.C.) Rome availed herself of the distress of Carthage to extort the cession of Sardinia, and raised the war indemnity by 1200 talents.’ --Ihne.] B. _The Oath of the Boy Hannibal._ Fama est etiam, Hannibalem annorum ferme {15} novem, pueriliter blandientem patri Hamilcari, ut duceretur in Hispaniam, cum, perfecto Africo bello, exercitum eo traiecturus sacrificaret, altaribus admotum, tactis sacris, iure iurando adactum, se, cum primum posset, hostem fore populo Romano. {20} LIVY, xxi. 1. [Linenotes: 16. +blandientem+ = _coaxingly entreating_. --D. 17. +perfecto Africo bello+, i.e. between Carthage and her mutinous mercenaries, 241-237 B.C.] +Parallel Passage.+ For Hannibal’s Oath, Livy xxxv. 19. +Importance of the War.+ ‘It was a struggle for existence, for supremacy or destruction. It was to decide whether the Graeco-Roman civilisation of the West or the Semitic (Carthaginian) civilisation of the East was to be established in Europe, and to determine its history for all future time.’ --Ihne. C9 SECOND PUNIC WAR, 218-202 B.C. ‘_The paths of glory lead but to the grave._’ Expende Hannibalem: quot libras in duce summo 147 Invenies? . . . . Additur imperiis Hispania, Pyrenaeum 151 Transilit. Opposuit natura Alpemque nivemque: Diducit scopulos et montem rumpit aceto. Iam tenet Italiam, tamen ultra pergere tendit: ‘Actum,’ inquit, ‘nihil est, nisi Poeno milite portas 155 Frangimus et media vexillum pono Subura.’ O qualis facies et quali digna tabella, Cum Gaetula ducem portaret belua luscum! Exitus ergo quis est? O gloria! vincitur idem Nempe et in exilium praeceps fugit, atque ibi magnus 160 Mirandusque cliens sedet ad praetoria regis, Donec Bithyno libeat vigilare tyranno. Finem animae, quae res humanas miscuit olim, Non gladii, non saxa dabunt, nec tela, sed ille Cannarum vindex et tanti sanguinis ultor, 165 Anulus. I, demens, et saevas curre per Alpes, Ut pueris placeas et declamatio fias. JUVENAL, _Sat._ x. 147-167.