SECT. XVI.

How the war passed between the Romans and Hannibal in Italy, from the taking of Capua to the great victory at Metaurus.

SHORTLY after the winning of Capua, Marcellus 'came to Rome; where, for his good services done in the island of Sicily, he had granted unto him the honour of the lesser triumph, which was called Ovȧtion. The greater triumph was denied him; because he had not finished the war, but was fain to leave his army behind him in the province. He staid not long in Rome before he was again chosen consul, together with M. Valerius Lævinus, who succeeded him in the government of Sicily, and was, at the time of his election, making war against king Philip in Greece. Great complaint was made against the consul Marcellus by the Syracusans, for that which he had done unto them; they alleging their great friendship to the people of Rome in the time of their late king, Hiero; and affirming that their city did never willingly break the alliance, excepting when it was oppressed by such tyrants as were not greater enemies to Rome than to all good men that lived in Syracuse. The consul, on the other side, reckoned up the labours and dangers whereunto they had put him; willing them to bemoan themselves to the Carthaginians that had holpen them in their necessity, and not unto the Romans, whom they had kept out. Thus each part having some good matter to allege, the senate made such an 'end of the controversy as best agreed with the benefit of their own commonwealth; blaming the too much rigour of Marcellus, yet not restoring the booty that he had taken, nor

making the Syracusans free from their subjection; but comforting them with gentle words and hopeful promises, as hath been shewn before. The two new consuls, Marcellus and Lævinus, were appointed to make war, as their lots should fall out; the one in Italy, the other in Sicily. The isle of Sicily fell unto Marcellus; which province he willingly chan ged with his colleague, to the end that the Syracusans (whose cause had not as yet been heard in the senate) might not seem hindered by fear from uttering their grievances freely. Afterwards, when his business with them was dispatched, he gently undertook the patronage of them; which remained long in his family, to the great benefit of the country in times following. So Valerius, the other consul, was sent into Sicily, whose doings there have been already rehearsed; but Marcellus was employed against Hannibal.

Before the consuls departed out of Rome, they were much troubled with pressing of soldiers to the war, and, most of all, with getting mariners for their navy. They were all of the poorer sort that used to be employed in sea-service, especially in rowing. These could not live without present wages; neither was there money enough in the treasury to give them pay. Wherefore it was ordained, that they should be set out at the expense of private men; who, in this necessity of the state, were driven to sustain all public charges. Hereat the people murmured; and were ready to fall into sedition, had not the consuls deferred the matter unto further consideration. The senate could ill tell what to determine or do in a case of such extremity. For manifest it was, that the multitude had already endured so much as well it could undergo; and somewhat more than could with honesty have been imposed upon it. Nevertheless, it was impossible to maintain the war against the Carthaginians, or to keep the VOL. V.

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Macedonian out of Italy, without a strong fleet. Wherefore some were of opinion, that, since the common treasury was so empty, the people must be forced, by right or wrong, to take the burthen upon them. At last the consuls began to say, that no persuasions would be so effectual with the people as good examples; and that if the senators would follow the consuls, like it was that the people also would follow the senate. Wherefore they propounded, and it was immediately concluded, that every one of them should bring forth, and put into the treasury, all the money that he had; and that no senator should keep any vessel of gold, or plate whatsoever, excepting one salt-seller, and a bowl, wherewith to make their offerings unto the gods; as also a ring for himself, with such other tokens of ingenuity for his wife and children as every one did use, and those of as small value as might be. This advice of the consuls was not more thankfully accepted by the senate, than the ready performance thereof by the senate was highly applauded, and hastily followed by the gentlemen of Rome. Neither did the commonalty refuse to do that which their betters had openly done before them. For, since the public necessity could no otherwise be holpen, every one was contented that his private estate should run the same fortune with the commonwealth, which, if it suffered wreck, in vain could any particular man hope to enjoy the benefit of his proper substance. This magnanimity deserved well that greatness of empire whereof it was the foundation.

Convenient order being thus taken for an army and fleet, Marcellus went forth of the city against Hannibal, and Lævinus towards Sicily. The army of Hannibal was greatly diminished by long and hard service; neither did his Carthaginians seem to remember him, and think upon sending the promised supply, or any such proportion as he needed. His

credit also among his Italian friends was much weakened by the loss of Capua; which gave them cause to look unto themselves, as if in his help there was little trust to be reposed when they should stand in need. This he well perceived, yet could not tell how to remedy. Either he must thrust garrisons into all towns that he suspected; and thereby so diminish his army that he should not be able to keep the field, or else he must leave them to their own fidelity, which now began to waver. At length his jealousy grew so outrageous, that he sacked and wasted those places that he was unable to defend; thinking that the best way to enrich himself, and make unprofitable to his enemies the purchase from which he could not hinder them. But, by this example, many were quite alienated from him; and some of those whom before he had least cause to doubt. The town of Salapia yielded unto Marcellus, and betrayed unto him a gallant regiment of Numidian horse, the best of all that served under Hannibal; which was a greater loss than the town itself. Blasius, the author of this rebellion, could not bring his desire to effect, without getting the consent of one Dasius, that was his bitter enemy. Wherefore he broke the matter to this Dasius in private; and was by him accused unto Hannibal. But when he was convened, and charged of treason, he so stoutly denied it, and, by way of recrimination, so vehemently pressed his accuser with the same fault, that Hannibal thought it a matter devised out of mere malice, knowing well what enemies they were, and seeing that neither of them could bring any proof of what he affirmed. This, notwithstanding, Blasius did not cease to press his adversary a-new; and urge him from time to time with such lively reasons, that he, who could not be believed by Hannibal, was contented at length to win the favour of Marcellus. Presently after this, the consul took by force Maronea and Meles, towns

of the Samnites; wherein he slew about three thousand of Hannibal's men.

Hannibal could not look to all at once, but was fain to catch advantages where he might get them; the Romans now being grown stronger in the field than he. The best was, that his Carthaginians, having wearied themselves with ill speed in many petty enterprises, and laid aside all this while the care of Italy, to follow business of far less importance, had now at length resolved to send presently the great supply that had been so long promised and expected. This, if they had done in better season, Rome itself might have been strucken down the next year after that great blow received at Cannæ. But, since that which is past cannot be amended, Hannibal must force himself to make a good countenance, and tell his followers, that this mighty succour would come time enough. For Masinissa was at Carthage with five thousand Numidians, ready to set sail for Spain; whither, when he came, it was appointed, that Asdrubal should forthwith take his journey into Italy, of which there had been so long talk. These news did not more comfort Hannibal and his followers, than terrify the Romans. Wherefore each did their best; the Romans, to prevent the threatening mischief, and win as much as they could upon Hannibal, before the coming of his brother. Hannibal, on the contrary, to hold his own, and weaken the Romans as much as he was able. He had intelligence, that Cn. Fulvius, a Roman prætor, lay near unto Herdonea, to get the town by practice. It was not long since, near unto the same place, another Cn. Fulvius had lost his army. Therefore Hannibal had made great marches thitherward; and came to Herdonea ere Fulvius had news of his approach. As soon as he came, he offered battle, to the Roman prætor, who accepted it with more haste than good speed. The Roman legions made good resistance