of Tunis, is enough to prove that Carthage was not far from such a miserable choice. Wherefore it was not unwisely done of the Romans to make such demonstration of kindness and honourable dealing as might invite a rich, but sinking ship, to run herself a-ground upon their shore. But when all was well ended in Africa, and the Carthaginians began to prepare for the recovery of Sardinia, then did ambition put off her goodly vizor. The Romans, perceiving that Carthage, beyond their hope, had recovered her feet again, began to strike at her head. They entertained the proffer of those mercenaries that were fled out of Sardinia; and they denounced war against this enfeebled and impoverished city, under a shameless pretence, that the preparations made for Sardinia were made indeed against Rome itself. The Carthaginians knew themselves unable to resist, and therefore yielded to the Romans' demand; renouncing unto them all their right in Sardinia. But this was not enough: they would have twelve hundred talents, in recompence belike (for I see not what reason they could allege) of the great fear which they had endured of an invasion from Carthage. It is indeed plain that they impudently sought occasion of war. But necessity taught the Carthaginians patience; and the money was paid, how hardly soever it was raised. From this time forward let not Rome complain of the Punic faith in breach of covenants; she herself hath broken the peace already, which Hamilcar purposeth to make her dearly repent; but what Hamilcar lives not to perform, shall be accomplished by Hannibal his renowned

son.

SECT. V.

How the affairs of Carthage went between the African rebellion and the second Punic war.

THE injurious dealing of the Romans, expressing their desire to pick a quarrel, served to instruct the Carthaginians in a necessary lesson, that either they must make themselves the stronger, or else resolve to be obedient unto those that were more mighty. In a city long accustomed to rule, the braver determination easily took place, and the best means were thought upon for the increase of puissance and empire. The strength and the jealousy of the Romans forbade all attempts upon the Mediterranean seas; but the riches of Spain, that lay upon the ocean, were unknown to Rome; wherefore that province might serve, both to exercise the Carthaginians in war, and to repair their decayed forces with all needful supplies. Of this Spanish expedition the charge and sovereign trust was committed unto Hamilcar; upon whom his country did wholly repose itself, in hope to recover strength by his means that had saved it from ruin.

Hanno, with some other envious men that were of his faction, took little pleasure in the general love and honour which daily increased towards Hamilcar and his friends. Yet could they not deny him to be the most worthy of command in all the city; only they commended peace and quietness; advising men to beware of provoking the Romans, in whose amity, they said, that the felicity of Carthage did consist. By such discourses, harsh to the ears of good citizens, who had feeling of the wrong done to their commonweal, they got none other reputation than of

singularity, which the ignorant sort suspected to be wisdom.

But the glory of Hamilcar was continually upheld and enlarged by many notable services that he did to the singular benefit of his country. He passed the straits of Hercules, (now called the straits of Gibraltar,) and landed on the western coast of Spain; in which country, during nine years that he lived there, he subjected unto the state of Carthage the better part of all those provinces. But, finally, in a battle that he fought with a nation in Portugal, called the Vettones, (defending himself a long time with an admirable resolution,) he was environed and slain; carrying with him to the grave the same great honour and fame, by which, in many signal victories, he had acquired the name of a second Mars.

After the death of Hamilcar, Asdrubal, his sonin-law, was made general of the Carthaginian forces in Spain. This was a good man of war, but far better in practice and cunning than in deeds of arms. By his notable dexterity in matter of negociation, he greatly enlarged the dominion of Carthage; adding so many subjects and confederates thereunto, that the Romans began to grow jealous again of this hasty increase. He built a goodly city, upon a commodious haven in the kingdom of Granada, opposite to that of Oran, in Africa; and gave it the name of New Carthage, which to this day it nearly retaineth, being called now Carthagena'. With this success of the Carthaginians in Spain, the Romans were not a little troubled; but began to accuse their own negligence; for whereas they had formerly taken so much pains to beat them out of the isle of Sicily, as suspecting their neighbourhood there, they had now, by cumbering themselves in a war of

1 The Spaniards have since built a city of the same name in the West Indies; which, being peopled by them in the year 15,32, was sacked by the English in the year 1585.

far less importance, (whereof I shall speak anon,) given them leisure, without interruption, to recover, upon their own continent, a dominion by far exceeding, both in the bodies of men and in revenue, that which the Romans had taken from them. But how to help this at the present they knew not; for they daily expected to be invaded by the Gauls, their ancient enemies, and nearest neighbours to the west, But he needeth little help of force that knoweth himself to be feared; it is enough if he request, since his request shall have the virtue of a command.

Yet were the Romans utterly destitute of all good colour, that might help them to intermeddle in Spain. The Spaniards were then unacquainted with Rome, whereof, in probability, they scarce had heard the name; so that there were no Mamertines, nor other such rebels, to call in Roman succours. But in the enterprise of Sardinia, the Romans had learned an impudent pretence, that might also serve their turn in Spain. For though it were apparent, that the Spanish affairs had no relation to the peace between these two cities; and though it were nothing likely that Asdrubal had any purpose to extend his victories unto the gates of Rome, or to any of the Roman frontiers; yet (as if some such matter had been suspected) they sent unto him, requiring that he should forbear to proceed any further than to the river of Iberus. In addressing their messengers, rather to Asdrubal than to the city of Carthage, they seem to have hoped, that howsoever the generality of the Carthaginians had sweetly swallowed many bitter pills, to avoid all occasion of war with Rome, yet the bravery of one man might prove more fastidious; and, resenting the injury, return such answer as would entangle his whole country in the quarrel, that they so much desired; and might embrace at leisure, when once they had found apparent cause. But Asdrubal finely deluded their expectation. He pretended no manner of dislike at all; and whereas they

would have this insolent covenant inserted into the articles of peace, he took upon him to do it, of his own power, with such appearance of conformity to their will, that they went their ways contented, and sought no further.

If it had been so, that the state of Carthage, thereunto pressed by the Romans, for fear of present war, had ratified this new composition made by Asdrubal, yet should it not have stood bound in honour, to observe the same carefully, unless an oath had also been extorted to make all sure. But since all had passed quietly, under the bare authority of Asdrubal, this capitulation was none other in effect, than a second breach of peace, whereof the Romans might be accused more justly than they could accuse the Carthaginians of perjury, (as they after did,) for refusing to stand to it.

By this treaty with Asdrubal, the Romans won some reputation in Spain. For when it was once conceived by the Spaniards, that the city which would needs be mistress over them, stood in fear herself, of receiving blows from a stouter dame, there were soon found some, that, by offering themselves to the protection of Rome, became, as they thought, fellow-servants with Carthage. But the Carthaginians will shortly teach them another lesson. The Saguntines, a people on the south side of Iberus, entered into confederacy with the Romans, and were gladly accepted. Surely it was lawful unto the Romans to admit the Saguntines, or any other people, (neither subject, nor open enemy in war to the Carthaginians,) into their society; and unlawful it was unto the Carthaginians, to use violence towards any that should thus once become confederate with Rome. Nevertheless, if we consider the late agreement made with Asdrubal, we shall find that the Romans could have none other honest colour of requiring it, than an implicit covenant of making the river Iberus a bound over which they them