Paulus Diaconus: HISTORIA ROMANA

1 Finito igitur Punico bello, quod per xxii annos tractum est. Romani iam clarissima gloria noti legatos ad Ptolomeum Aegypti regem miserunt auxilia promittentes, quia rex Syriae Antiochus bellum ei intulerat. Ille gratias Romanis egit, auxilia non accepit.

1 Therefore, with the Punic War finished, which had been waged for 22 years, the Romans, already known by the most brilliant glory, sent legates to Ptolemy, king of Egypt, promising auxiliaries, because Antiochus, king of Syria, had brought war against him. He gave thanks to the Romans, but did not accept the auxiliaries.

Iam enim fuerat pugna transacta. Eodem tempore potentissimus rex Siciliae Hiero Romam uenit ad ludos et ducenta mofiiorum tritici populo dono exhibuit.

Now indeed the battle had been brought to an end. At the same time the most powerful king of Sicily, Hieron, came to Rome for the games and presented to the people, as a gift, two hundred modii of wheat.

2 Lucio Cornelio Lentulo Fuluio Flacco consulibus, quibus Hiero Romam uenerat, etiam contra Ligures intra Italiam bellum gestum est. Nam idem consules primi trans Padum Romanas duxere legiones. Pugnatum est ibi cum Insubribus et Liguribus, quorum interfecta sunt xxiii milia, v milia capta sunt, et de his triumphatum est.

2 In the consulship of Lucius Cornelius Lentulus Fulvius Flaccus, during whose consulship Hiero had come to Rome, a war was also waged against the Ligures within Italy. For the same consuls were the first to lead Roman legions across the Po. There was fighting there with the Insubres and Ligures, of whom 23,000 were slain, 5,000 were captured, and a triumph was celebrated over these.

Sequenti anno in Piceno flumen sanguinem effluxit et apud Tuscos caelum ardere uisum est et Arimini nocte multa luce fulgente tres simul lunae apparuere. Carthaginienses tamen bellum reparare temptabant, Sardinienses, qui ex conditione pacis Romanis parere debebant, ad rebellandum inpellentes. Venit tamen Romam legatio Carthaginiensium et pacem impetrauit.

In the following year in Picenum a river flowed with blood, and among the Tusci the sky was seen to burn, and at Ariminum during the night with much shining light three moons appeared together. The Carthaginians, however, attempted to renew the war, inciting the Sardinians, who by the condition of the peace ought to obey the Romans, to rebel. A delegation of the Carthaginians nevertheless came to Rome and obtained peace.

3 Tito Manlio Torquato Gaio Atilio Vulgo consulibus, de Sardis triumphatum est, et pacem omnibus locis facta Romani nullum bellum habuerunt, quod his post Romam conditam semel tantum Numa Pompilio regnante contigerat.

3 With Titus Manlius Torquatus and Gaius Atilius Vulgo as consuls, a triumph was celebrated over the Sardinians, and, peace being made in all places, the Romans had no war — a state of affairs that had occurred only once since Rome was founded, under the reign of Numa Pompilius.

4 Lucius Postumius Albinus, Gneus Fuluius Centummallus consules bellum contra Illirios gesserunt et multis ciuitatibus captis etiam reges in deditionem acceperunt. Ac tum primum ex Illiriis triumphatum est.

4 Lucius Postumius Albinus, Gnaeus Fulvius Centumalus, as consuls, waged war against the Illyrians, and with many cities captured they even took kings into surrender. And then for the first time a triumph was celebrated over the Illyrians.

5 Aemilio consule ingentes Gallorum copiae Alpes transierunt. Sed pro Romanis tota Italia consensit, traditumque est a Fauio historico, qui ei bello interfuit, dcc milia hominum parata ad id bellum fuisse. Sed res per consules tantum prospere gesta est.

5 Under the consul Aemilius vast companies of Gauls crossed the Alps. But for the Romans all Italy consented, and it is handed down by Fabius the historian, who took part in that war, that 700,000 men had been prepared for that war. Yet the affair was carried through so prosperously by the consuls alone.

xl milia hostium interfecta sunt et triumphus Aemilio decretus. Gallorum siquidem animi feroces, corpora plus quam humana erant, sed experimento deprehensum est, quod uirtus eorum, sicut primo impetu maior quam uirorum est, ita sequens minor quam feminarum; Alpina corpora humenti caelo educata habent quiddam simile niuibus suis, cum mox calore pugnae statim in sudorem eunt et leui modo quasi sole laxantur. Hi Brittomaro duce non prius posituros se baltea iurauerunt, quam Capitolium incendissent.

40,000 of the enemy were killed and a triumph was decreed to Aemilius. The Gauls' spirits indeed were fierce, their bodies more than human, but experience proved that their valour, as greater than men's at the first onset, is thereafter less than women’s; Alpine bodies, raised into the air from lying down, have something like their snows, since soon by the heat of battle they at once break out into sweat and are loosened in a light way as if by the sun. These, with Brittomaro as leader, swore they would not lay down their baltea until they had burned the Capitol.

Factumque est; nam uictos eos Aemilius in Capitolio discinxit, et quia dux eorum de Romano milite Marti suo torquem auream deuotasset, de ipsius Ariobistonis reliquorumque Gallorum torquibus aureum trophaeum Ioui erexit.

And it was done; for Aemilius stripped those conquered men of their belts on the Capitol, and because their leader had dedicated a golden torque taken from a Roman soldier to his Mars, from the torques of Ariobistus himself and of the remaining Gauls he raised a golden trophy to Jupiter.

6 Aliquot deinde annis post contra Gallos intra Italiam pugnatum est, finitumque bellum Marco Claudio Marcello Gneo Cornelio Scipione consulibus. Marcellus deinde cum inprudens in manus Gallorum incidisset omniaque infesta uidisset, nec qua euadere possit haberet, in medium hostium inrupit; quibus inopinata audacia perculsis, regem quoque eorum Vitrodomarum nomine occidit, atque ubi spes salutis uix fuerat, inde opima retulit spolia. Postea cum collega ingentes copias Gallorum peremit, Mediolanum expugnauit, grandem praedam Romam pertulit.

6 Several years thereafter there was fighting against the Gauls within Italy, and the war was ended with Marcus Claudius Marcellus and Gnaeus Cornelius Scipio as consuls. Then Marcellus, when imprudent he had fallen into the hands of the Gauls and had seen all things hostile, and had no way by which he could escape, burst into the midst of the enemy; his unexpected audacity, striking them down, even slew their king by the name Vitrodomarus, and from where there had hardly been hope of safety he carried off opulent spoils. Afterwards, when with his colleague he destroyed vast forces of the Gauls, he took Mediolanum by storm and brought a great booty to Rome.

Ac triumphans Marcellus spolia Galli stipiti inposita humeris suis uexit.

And triumphant Marcellus bore the spoils of the Gaul, set upon a stake, on his shoulders.

7 Minucio Rufo Publio Cornelio consulibus, Histris bellum inlatum est, quia latrocinati nauibus Romanorum fuerant, quae frumenta exhibebant, ac multo Romanorum sanguine fuso perdomiti sunt. Hac tempestate Iudaeorum pontifex Simon Oniae filius extitit. Eodem anno bellum Punicum secundum Romanis inlatum est per Annibalem Carthaginiensium ducem, qui iamdudum Hamilcari patri ad aras iurauerat, cum adhuc nouem esset annorum, se, ut primum posset, aduersus Romanos pugnaturum.

7 In the consulship of Minucius Rufus and Publius Cornelius, war was brought upon the Histri because they had pirated Roman ships that were carrying grain, and having poured out much Roman blood they were subdued. In this time Simon, son of Onias, became the Jewish high priest. In the same year the Second Punic War was brought upon the Romans by Hannibal, general of the Carthaginians, who long before had sworn at his father Hamilcar’s altars, when he was still 9 years old, that he would, as soon as he could, fight against the Romans.

Annibal ergo Saguntum, Hispaniae ciuitatem Romanis amicam, oppugnare adgressus est, annum agens uicesimum aetatis, copiis congregatis centum quinquaginta milium. Huic Romani per legatos denuntiauerunt ut bello abstineret. His legatos admittere noluit.

Annibal therefore undertook to attack Saguntum, a city of Hispania friendly to the Romans, being in the twentieth year of his age, with forces gathered numbering 150,000. To this (city) the Romans by envoys warned him to refrain from war. He would not admit those envoys.

Romani etiam Carthaginem miserunt, ut mandaretur Annibali ne bellum contra socios populi Romani gereret. Dura responsa a Carthaginiensibus data sunt. Saguntini interea fame uicti sunt captique ab Annibale ultimis poenis afficiuntur.

The Romans also sent to Carthage, that it be commanded to Annibal that he not wage war against the allies of the Roman people. Harsh responses were given by the Carthaginians. The Saguntines meanwhile, conquered by famine, were captured and are afflicted by Annibal with the utmost punishments.

Quibus hoc ante portenderat triste prodigium; nam cum paene enixa mulier esset, infans in uterum regressus ciuitatis excidium significauit. Huius tantae cladis auctor Annibal poscitur; tergiuersantibus Poenis dux legationis: «Quae», inquit, «mora est?» Fauius: «In hoc ego sinu bellum pacemque porto; utrum eligitis?» Succlamantibus: «Bellum», «Igitur», inquid, «accipite», et excusso in media curia togae gremio non sine horrore, quasi plane sinu bellum ferret, effudit.

To them this sad prodigy had previously portended; for when the woman had almost borne, the infant having returned into the womb signified the destruction of the city. Hannibal is demanded as the author of so great a calamity; the envoy-leader, the Carthaginians tergiversating, said, "What, then, is the delay?" Fauius: "In this fold of my robe I carry war and peace; which do you choose?" With cries of "War!" he said, "Then, receive it," and, having shaken it out into the middle of the curia from the lap of his toga, not without horror, as if plainly he bore war in his bosom, he poured it forth.

8 Tum Publius Cornelius Scipio cum exercitu in Hispaniam profectus est, Tiberius Simpronius in Siciliam. Bellum Carthaginiensibus indictum est. Annibal relicto in Hispania fratre Hasdrubale Pirineum transiuit.

8 Then Publius Cornelius Scipio set out with an army into Hispania, Tiberius Simpronius into Sicily. War was declared upon the Carthaginians. Hannibal, Hasdrubal being left in Hispania, crossed the Pyrenees.

Alpes adhuc tum ea parte inuias sibi patefecit. Traditur ad Italiam lxxx milia peditum, x milia equitum., septem et xxx elefantos adduxisse. Interea multi Ligures et Galli Annibali se coniunxerunt.

The Alps at that time on that side opened impassable ways for him. It is reported that he led into Italy 80,000 foot-soldiers, 10,000 horsemen, and 37 elephants. Meanwhile many Ligurians and Gauls joined themselves to Annibal.

Simpronius Gracchus, cognito ad Italiam Annibalis aduentu, ex Sicilia exercitum Ariminum traiecit.

Simpronius Gracchus, upon learning of Hannibal’s arrival in Italy, transported his army from Sicily to Ariminum.

9 Publius Cornelius Scipio Annibali apud Ticinum primus occurrit. Commisso proelio, fugatis suis et paene omnibus extinctis, ipse a filio Scipione liberatus, saucius tamen, in castra rediit. Pugnatum deinde est eodem consule ad Treuiam fluuium iterumque Romani superati sunt.

9 Publius Cornelius Scipio first encountered Hannibal at the Ticino. With the battle joined, his men routed and almost all slain, he himself, rescued by his son Scipio, wounded however, returned to the camp. Then there was fought, with the same consul, at the Trebia river, and again the Romans were overcome.

Simpronius Gracchus et ipse confligit apud eundem amnem, amissoque exercitu paene solus euasit; in eo tamen bello etiam Annibal sauciatus est. Tunc se Annibali multi Itali dedidere. Qui posteaquam in Etruriam primo uere transiret, in summo Apennino tempestate correptus biduo continuo immobiliter stetit niuibus cum exercitu conclusus, ubi magnus hominum numerus, iumenta quam plurima, elefanti paene omnes frigore perierunt.

Simpronius Gracchus himself likewise fought at that same river, and, his army having been lost, he escaped almost alone; yet in that war even Hannibal was wounded. Then many Italians surrendered themselves to Hannibal. After he crossed into Etruria in the first spring, he was seized by a storm on the high Apennine and stood immobile for two days, shut in with his army by snows, where a great number of men, very many beasts of burden, and almost all the elephants perished from the cold.

Diris tunc etiam Romani prodigiis territi sunt; nam et solis orbis inminui uisus est et apud Arpos palmae in caelo uisae, sol quoque cum luna pugnasse, apud Capenas duae lunae ortae sunt, in Sardinia sanguine duo scuta sudarunt, Faliscis caelum scindi uisum est, apud Antium cruentae spicae in corbem cecidere. Igitur Annibal ad Tusciam ueniens Flamminio consuli occurrit. Ipsum Flamminium interemit; Romanorum xxv milia caesa sunt, coetera diffugerunt.

The Romans were then also terrified by dreadful prodigies; for the globe of the sun seemed diminished, and at Arpi palms were seen in the sky, the sun also was seen to have fought with the moon, at Capena two moons rose, in Sardinia two shields Sweated blood, among the Falisci the sky seemed to be rent, and at Antium bloodstained ears of grain fell into a basket. Therefore Annibal, coming to Tuscia, met the consul Flamminius. He killed Flamminius himself; 25,000 of the Romans were slain, the rest fled.

Missus aduersus Annibalem postea a Romanis Q. Fauius Maximus. Is eum differendo pugnam ab impetu fregit; nam per summa montium iuga et abditos nemorum saltus castra ponens, Annibalis feruorem elusit moxque inuenta occasione uicit. Victus quoque Annibal fertur de Fauio suis ita dixisse: «Numquid non dixi uobis, quod montana haec nubes maxima nos in campo ui tempestatis obrueret?»

Sent against Annibal afterwards by the Romans was Q. Fabius Maximus. He wore him down by delaying battle and thwarting his onslaught; for by placing his camp upon the highest ridges of the mountains and in the hidden glades of woods, he evaded Annibal’s fury and soon, when an occasion was found, defeated him. Annibal, when defeated, is said to have said to his men of Fabius: “Did I not tell you that this great mountain cloud would overwhelm us in the field with the force of a storm?”

10 Quingentesimo et xl anno a condita Vrbe Lucius Aemilius Paulus, Publius Terentius Varro contra Annibalem mittuntur Fauioque succedunt. Qui Fauius ambos consules monuit, ut Annibalem callidum et inpatientem ducem non aliter uincerent quam proelium differendo. Verum cum inpatientia Varronis consulis, contradicente altero consule id est Aemilio Paulo, apud uicum qui Cannae appellatur in Apulia pugnatum esset, ambo consules ab Annibale uincuntur.

10 In the 540th year from the founding of the City Lucius Aemilius Paulus and Publius Terentius Varro are sent against Hannibal, and succeed Fabius. Fabius warned both consuls that Hannibal, a crafty and impatient leader, could not be overcome except by delaying battle. But because of the impatience of the consul Varro, the other consul, that is Aemilius Paulus, opposing, a fight was joined near the village called Cannae in Apulia, and both consuls were defeated by Hannibal.

Nam cum comperisset Annibal Aufidum amnem ingentes auras mane proflare, quae arenarum et pulueris uertices agerent, sic direxit aciem, ut tota uis a tergo suis, Romanis in ora et oculos incideret, eaque de causa Romanorum exercitum strauit. In ea pugna tria milia Afrorum pereunt, magna pars de exercitu Annibalis sauciatur. Nullo tamen Punico bello Romani grauius accepti sunt.

For when Annibal found that the Aufidum river was blowing forth mighty gusts early in the morning, which drove up whirlwinds of sand and dust, he so drew up his battle-line that the whole force from the rear fell upon his men and into the mouths and eyes of the Romans, and for that reason overwhelmed the Roman army. In that battle three thousand Africans perished, a great part of Annibal’s army was wounded. Yet in no Punic war were the Romans more grievously harmed.

Periit enim in eo consul Aemilius Paulus, qui dum saucius in quodam saxo resedisset, offerente ei Lentulo equum quo fugeret, ut cladi superesset, noluit atque ibi persedit donec ab hostibus peremptus est. Perierunt autem ibi consulares aut praetorii xx, senatores capti aut occisi xxx, nobiles uiri ccc, militum xl milia, equitum iii milia et quingenti. Varro consul cum quinquaginta equitibus Venusium fugit.

For indeed the consul Aemilius Paulus perished in that engagement, who, while wounded had sat down on a certain rock, Lentulus offering him a horse by which he might flee to escape the rout, refused and there remained until he was slain by the enemies. Moreover there perished 20 consulars or praetors, 30 senators taken or killed, 300 noblemen, 40,000 soldiers, 3,500 horse. The consul Varro fled to Venusia with fifty horsemen.

Nec dubium est ultimum illum diem Romani status futurum fuisse, si Annibal mox post uictoriam ad peruadendam Vrbem contendisset. Varro Romam rediit gratiaeque ei a senatu et populo actae sunt quod rem publicam non desperasset; non autem uitae cupiditate sed rei publicae amore se superfuisse reliquo aetatis suae tempore adprobauit; nam barbam capillumque summisit et postea numquam recubans cibum coepit; honores quoque, cum ei deferrentur a populo, renuntiauit, dicens felicioribus magistratibus rei publicae opus esse. In omnibus his tamen malis nemo Romanorum pacis mentionem habere dignatus est.

There is no doubt that that final day would have been the ruin of the Roman state, if Hannibal had straightaway after the victory hastened to march against the City. Varro returned to Rome and thanks were rendered to him by the senate and people because he had not despaired of the res publica; he declared that he had spared himself not through a desire for life but out of love for the res publica for the remainder of his age; for he shortened his beard and hair and afterwards began to eat without reclining; he also renounced the honors which were offered him by the people, saying that the republic needed more fortunate magistrates. In all these misfortunes, however, none of the Romans deigned to make mention of peace.

Serui, quod numquam ante, manumissi et milites facti sunt.

The slaves, which never before, were manumitted and made into soldiers.

11 Post eam pugnam multae Italiae ciuitates, quae Romanis paruerunt, se ad Annibalem transtulerunt. Annibal Romanis optulit ut captiuos redimerent, responsumque est a senatu eos ciues non necessarios, qui, cum armati essent, capi potuissent. Ille omnes postea uariis suppliciis interfecit et tres modios anulorum aureorum Carthaginem misit, quos ex manibus equitum Romanorum, senatorum et militum detraxerat.

11 After that battle many cities of Italy, which had obeyed the Romans, transferred themselves to Hannibal. Hannibal offered to the Romans that they redeem their captives, and the senate answered that those citizens were not necessary, who, since they had been armed, could have been taken. He afterwards put them all to death with various tortures and sent to Carthage three modii of golden rings, which he had torn from the hands of Roman equites, senators, and soldiers.

Deinde Sempronio Graccho Quinto Fauio Maximo consulibus Claudius Marcellus ex praetore pro consule designatus Annibalis exercitum proelio fudit primusque post tantas rei publicae ruinas spem fecit Annibalem posse superari. Interea in Hispania, ubi frater Annibalis Hasdrubal remanserat cum magno exercitu, ut eam totam Afris subigeret, a duobus Scipionibus Romanis ducibus uincitur. Perdit in pugna xxxv milia hominum: ex his capiuntur x milia, occiduntur xxv milia.

Then, in the consulship of Sempronius Gracchus and Quintus Fabius Maximus, Claudius Marcellus, having been designated from praetor to proconsul, routed Annibal’s army in battle and was the first, after so many ruins of the res publica, to give hope that Annibal could be overcome. Meanwhile in Hispania, where Hasdrubal, brother of Annibal, had remained with a great army to subject the whole region to the Afri, he was defeated by the two Roman commanders, the Scipios. In the battle 35,000 men were lost: of these 10,000 were captured, 25,000 were slain.

Mittuntur ei a Carthaginiensibus ad reparandas uires xii milia peditum, iiii milia equitum, xx elefanti. Centenius Paenula centurio decerni sibi ultro bellum aduersus Annibalem petiit, a quo cum octo milibus militum, quos in acie eduxerat, caesus est. Post hunc Gneus Fuluius praetor ab Annibale uictus amisso exercitu uix euasit.

To him are sent by the Carthaginians, to restore his forces, 12,000 foot soldiers, 4,000 horse, 20 elephants. Centenius Paenula, a centurion, of his own accord demanded that war be assigned to him against Hannibal; by him, with 8,000 soldiers whom he had drawn up in battle line, he was cut down. After him Gnaeus Fulvius, praetor, defeated by Hannibal and his army lost, scarcely escaped.

12 Anno quarto postquam ad Italiam Annibal uenit, Gneum Fuluium proconsulem, undecim praeterea tribunos et xvii milia militum interfecit. Marcellus consul cum Annibale apud Nolam triduum continuum dimicauit; primo die pari pugna discessum est, sequenti uictus consul, tertio uictor viii milia hostium interfecit, ipsum Annibalem cum reliquis fugere in castra compulit. Annibal multas ciuitates Romanorum per Apuliam, Calabriam, Brittios occupauit.

12 In the 4th year after Hannibal came into Italy, he killed Gnaeus Fulvius the proconsul, moreover eleven tribunes and 17,000 soldiers. Marcellus the consul fought continuously with Hannibal at Nola for three days; on the first day they broke off with equal combat, on the second the consul was defeated, on the third the victor slew 8,000 of the enemy and forced Hannibal himself with the rest to flee to his camp. Hannibal occupied many Roman towns throughout Apulia, Calabria, and Bruttium.

Quo tempore etiam rex Macedoniae Philippus ad eum legatos misit promittens auxilia contra Romanos sub hac conditione, ut deletis Romanis ipse quoque contra Grecos ab Annibale auxilia acciperet. Captis igitur legatis Philippi et re cognita Romani in Macedoniam Marcum Valerium Leuinum ire iusserunt, in Sardiniam Titum Mallium Torquatum proconsulem. Nam etiam ea sollicitata ab Annibale Romanos deseruerat.

At that time also Philip, king of Macedonia, sent legates to him promising auxiliaries against the Romans on this condition, that with the Romans destroyed he himself also would receive auxiliaries from Hannibal against the Greeks. Therefore, with Philip’s legates captured and the affair made known, the Romans ordered Marcus Valerius Levinus to go into Macedon, and Titus Mallius Torquatus as proconsul to Sardinia. For that island too, having been disturbed by Hannibal, had deserted the Romans.

13 Ita uno tempore quattuor locis pugnabatur: in Italia contra Annibalem, in Hispaniis contra fratrem eius Hasdrubalem, in Macedonia contra Philippum, in Sardinia contra Sardos et alterum Hasdrubalem Carthaginiensem. Is a Tito Manlio proconsule, qui ad Sardiniam missus fuerat, uiuus est captus, occisa cum eo duodecim milia, capti mille quingenti, et a Romanis Sardinia subacta. Mallius uictor captiuos et Hasdrubalem Romam reportauit.

13 Thus at one time fighting was being waged in four places: in Italy against Hannibal, in Hispania against his brother Hasdrubal, in Macedonia against Philip, in Sardinia against the Sardinians and another Hasdrubal of Carthage. This man was captured alive by Titus Manlius, proconsul who had been sent to Sardinia; with him twelve thousand were killed, fifteen hundred captured, and Sardinia was subdued by the Romans. Mallius the victor carried the captives and Hasdrubal back to Rome.

Interea etiam Philippus a Leuino in Macedoniam uincitur et in Hispania a Scipionibus Hasdrubal et Mago tertius frater Annibalis.

Meanwhile Philip was also defeated by Levinus in Macedonia, and in Spain Hasdrubal and Mago — the third brother of Hannibal — by the Scipios.

14 Decimo anno postquam Annibal in Italiam uenerat, Puluio Sulpicio Gneo Fuluio consulibus, Annibal de Campania mouit exercitum et cum ingenti clade omnium per Sedecinum Suessanumque agrum uia Latina usque ad quartum miliarium Vrbis accessit, equites eius usque ad portam. Mox consulum cum exercitu uenientium metu Annibal ad Campaniam se recepit. In Hispania a fratre Hasdrubalis ambo Scipiones, qui per multos annos uictores fuerant, interficiuntur, exercitus tamen integer mansit; casu enim magis erant quam uirtute decepti.

14 In the tenth year after Hannibal came into Italy, with Pulvius Sulpicius and Gnaeus Fulvius consuls, Hannibal moved his army from Campania and, with a great slaughter of all, through the fields of Sedecinum and Suessanum by the Latin road reached the fourth mile of the City, his cavalry as far as the gate. Soon, fearing the consuls coming with their army, Hannibal withdrew to Campania. In Spain both Scipios, who for many years had been victors, were killed by Hasdrubal his brother; yet the army remained whole: for they had been deceived more by chance than by force.

Quo tempore etiam a consule Marcello Siciliae magna pars capta est, quam tenere Afri coeperant, et nobilissima urbs Syracusana, praeda ingens Romam perlata est. Leuinus in Macedonia cum Philippo et multis Greciae populis et rege Asiae Attalo amicitiam fecit et ad Siciliam profectus est; Annonem quendam Afrorum ducem apud Agrigentum ciuitatem cum ipso oppido coepit, eum Romam cum captiuis nobilissimis misit. xl ciuitates in deditionem accepit, xxvi expugnauit.

At that time also, by the consul Marcellus, a great part of Sicily was captured, which the Africans had begun to hold, and the most noble Syracusan city, a vast booty, was carried to Rome. Levinus in Macedonia made friendship with Philip and with many peoples of Greece and with Attalus, king of Asia, and set out for Sicily; he undertook the city of Agrigentum, with the town itself, against a certain African leader named Annonem; he sent him to Rome with very noble captives. He received 40 cities into surrender, and took by storm 26.

Ita omnis Sicilia recepta est, Macedonia fracta. Ingenti gloria Romam regressus est. Annibal in Italia Gneum Fuluium consulem subito adgressus cum viiii milibus hominum interfecit.

Thus all Sicily was recovered, Macedonia shattered. He returned to Rome with mighty glory. In Italy Hannibal suddenly fell upon Gnaeus Fulvius, consul, and slew him with 8,000 men.

15 Interea ad Hispanias, ubi occisis duobus Scipionibus nullus Romanus dux erat, Publius Cornelius Scipio mittitur, filius Publii Scipionis qui ibidem bellum gesserat, annos natus quattuor et uiginti, uir Romanorum omnium et sua aetate et posteriore tempore fere primus. Iste etenim, dum senatores ob metum Annibalis Italiam relinquere deliberarent, cum tribunus militum esset, districto gladio id fieri uetuit primusque iurans ut patriae defensor existeret, uniuersos similiter iurare coegit Romanosque ad spem uitae quasi ab inferis reduxit. Is Carthaginem Hispaniae capit, in qua omne aurum, argentum et belli apparatum Afri habebant, nobilissimos quoque obsides quos ab Hispanis acceperant.

15 Meanwhile to the Hispannies, where with the two Scipios slain there was no Roman commander, Publius Cornelius Scipio is sent, the son of Publius Scipio who had waged war there, twenty-four years old, almost first among all the Romans both by his own age and by later time. For this man, while the senators, through fear of Hannibal, were deliberating to abandon Italy, being a tribune of the soldiers, with drawn sword forbade that course, and first swearing that he would be a defender of the fatherland he compelled all to swear likewise, and restored the Romans to a hope of life as if from the underworld. He takes the Carthage of Spain, in which the Africans had all the gold, silver, and war apparatus, and also the most noble hostages which they had received from the Spaniards.

Magonem etiam fratrem Annibalis ibidem capit, quem Romam cum aliis mittit. Romae ingens laetitia post hunc nuntium fuit. Scipio Hispanorum obsides parentibus reddidit.

He also captured Mago, brother of Hannibal, there, whom he sent to Rome with others. In Rome there was immense joy after this news. Scipio returned the hostages of the Spaniards to their parents.

Denique dum quaedam adulto flore uirgo pulcherrima ab eo comprehensa fuisset, eam paterna pietate seruauit, concedens parentibus ut eam redimerent; ad se etiam puellae sponsum nobilissimi generis uirum uenire persuadens, ei ipsam quasi pius in matrimonium genitor tradidit dotisque nomine puellae pretium, quod a parentibus eius acceperat, condonauit; pro quibus factis maxime adnitente puellae sponso eiusque parentibus omnes fere Hispaniae ad eum transierunt. Post quae Hasdrubalem Annibalis fratrem uictum fugat et praedam maximam capit.

Finally, when a certain maiden, most beautiful in the maturity of her bloom, had been taken by him, he preserved her with paternal pietas, permitting her parents to ransom her; and, persuading to himself the maiden’s betrothed — a man of most noble kind — he, as a dutiful father, gave her to him in marriage and remitted the sum received from her parents as the girl’s dowry; for these deeds, with the bridegroom and her parents exerting themselves greatly, nearly all Spain transferred to his side. After these things he put to flight Hasdrubal, Hannibal’s brother, when defeated, and captured a very great booty.

16 Interea in Italia consul Publius Fauius Maximus Tarentum recepit, in qua ingentes copiae Annibalis erant. Et ibi etiam ducem Annibalis Carthalonem occidit, xxv milia hominum captiuorum uendidit, predam militibus dispertiuit, pecuniam hominum uenditorum ad fiscum retulit. Tum multae ciuitates Romanorum quae ad Annibalem transierant, rursus se Fauio Maximo dediderunt.

16 Meanwhile in Italy the consul Publius Fauius Maximus recovered Tarentum, in which vast forces of Annibal were. And there he also killed Annibal’s commander Carthalo, sold 25,000 men as captives, divided the booty among the soldiers, and returned the money from the sold men to the treasury. Then many Roman cities which had gone over to Annibal again surrendered themselves to Fauius Maximus.

Insequenti anno Scipio in Hispania egregias res egit et per se et per fratrem suum Lucium Scipionem; septuaginta ciuitates receperunt. In Italia tamen male pugnarunt. Nam Claudius Marcus consul ab Annibale occisus est.

In the following year Scipio achieved outstanding exploits in Hispania both by himself and through his brother Lucius Scipio; they recovered seventy cities. In Italy, however, they fared badly in battle. For Marcus Claudius, the consul, was slain by Hannibal.

17 Tertio anno postquam Scipio ad Hispaniam profectus fuerat, rursus res inclitas gerit. Regem Hispaniarum magno proelio uictum in amicitiam accepit et primus omnium a uicto obsides non poposcit.

17 In the third year after Scipio had set out for Spain, he once more performed renowned deeds. He received into friendship the king of the Spaniards, defeated in a great battle, and first of all he did not demand hostages from the vanquished.

18 Desperans Annibal Hispanias contra Scipionem diutius posse retineri, fratrem suum Hasdrubalem ad Italiam cum omnibus copiis euocauit. Is ueniens a consulibus Appio Claudio Nerone et Marco Liuio Salinatore apud Metaurum fluuium in insidias conpositas incidit. Strenue tamen pugnans occisus est, lviii milia de eius exercitu perempta, v milia capta sunt.

18 Despairing that Spain could be held any longer against Scipio, Hannibal recalled his brother Hasdrubal to Italy with all his forces. He, arriving, fell into ambushes laid by the consuls Appius Claudius Nero and Marcus Livius Salinator at the Metaurus River. Nevertheless, fighting bravely, he was killed; 58,000 of his army were destroyed, 5,000 taken captive.

cccciiii milia ciuium Romanorum inter eos reperta et reuocata sunt. Magnum pondus auri atque argenti Romam relatum est. Annibali caput fratris sui Hasdrubalis ante castra proiectum est, quo uiso et simul clade Poenorum cognita, anno tertio decimo quam in Italiam uenerat, refugit in Brittiam.

404,000 Roman citizens were found among them and recalled. A great weight of gold and of silver was brought back to Rome. The head of his brother Hasdrubal was thrown before Hannibal’s camp; when this was seen, and at the same time the disaster of the Carthaginians became known, in the 13th year since he had come into Italy, he fled back to Bruttium.

Post haec Annibal diffidere iam de belli coepit euentu. Romanis ingens animus accessit; itaque et ipsi euocauerunt ex Hispania Publium Cornelium Scipionem. Is Romam cum ingenti gloria uenit.

After these things Hannibal began already to despair about the outcome of the war. An immense spirit came to the Romans; and so they themselves also summoned Publius Cornelius Scipio from Spain. He came to Rome with great glory.

Per idem tempus Hierosolymis pontifex maximus Onias filius Simonis fuit.

At the same time the chief priest at Jerusalem was Onias, son of Simon.

19 Quinto Caecilio Lucio Valerio consulibus omnes ciuitates, quae in Brittiis ab Annibale tenebantur, Romanis se tradiderunt.

19 In the consulship of Quintus Caecilius and Lucius Valerius all the cities which in the Britains were held by Hannibal surrendered themselves to the Romans.

20 Anno quarto decimo posteaquam in Italiam Annibal uenerat, Scipio, qui multa bene in Hispania egerat, consul est factus et in Africam missus. Cui uiro diuinum quiddam inesse existimabatur, adeo ut putaretur etiam cum numinibus habere sermonem. Is in Africa contra Annonem ducem Afrorum pugnat, exercitum eius interficit.

20 In the 14th year after Hannibal had come into Italy, Scipio, who had accomplished many things well in Hispania, was made consul and sent into Africa. To that man something divine was thought to adhere, so much so that it was believed he even held converse with the numina. He fought in Africa against Annon, leader of the Afri, and destroyed his army.

Secundo proelio castra capit cum quattuor et quingentis militibus, undecim milibus occisis. Sifacem Numidiae regem, qui se Afris coniunxerat, capit et castra eius inuadit. Sifax cum nobilissimis Numidis et infinitis spoliis Romam a Scipione mittitur.

In the second battle he seizes the camp with 504 soldiers, eleven thousand having been slain. He captures Sifax, king of Numidia, who had joined himself to the Afri, and plunders his camp. Sifax, with the most noble Numidians and countless spoils, is sent to Rome by Scipio.

Qua re audita omnis fere Italia Annibalem deserit. Ipse a Carthaginiensibus redire in Africam iubetur, quam Scipio uastabat.

Wherefore, upon hearing this, almost all Italy deserted Hannibal. He himself was ordered by the Carthaginians to return into Africa, which Scipio was devastating.

21 Ita anno septimo decimo ab Annibale Italia liberata est, quam flens dicitur reliquisse. Legati Carthaginiensium pacem a Scipione petiuerunt. Ab eo ad senatum Romam missi sunt.

21 Thus in the seventeenth year Italy was freed from Hannibal; he is said to have left it weeping. Envoys of the Carthaginians sought peace from Scipio. They were by him sent to the Senate at Rome.

xlv diebus his indutiae datae sunt, quousque ire Romam et regredi possent. Et triginta milia pondo argenti ab his accepta sunt. Senatus ex arbitrio Scipionis pacem iussit cum Carthaginiensibus fieri.

For 45 days a truce was granted, during which they could go to Rome and return. And 30,000 pounds of silver were received from them. The Senate, by Scipio’s decision, ordered that peace be made with the Carthaginians.

Scipio his conditionibus dedit, ne amplius quam triginta naues haberent, ut quingenta milia pondo argenti darent, captiuos et perfugas redderent.

Scipio consented to these conditions, that they should possess no more than thirty ships, that they should give five hundred thousand pounds of silver, and should restore captives and deserters.

22 Interim Annibale ueniente ad Africam pax turbata est, multa hostilia ab Afris facta sunt. Legati tamen eorum ex Vrbe uenientes a Romanis capti sunt et iubente Scipione dimissi. Annibal quoque frequentibus proeliis uictus a Scipione petere etiam ipse coepit pacem.

22 Meanwhile, with Hannibal coming into Africa the peace was disturbed; many hostile things were done by the Africans. Their envoys, however, coming from the City, were captured by the Romans and, Scipio ordering, were released. Hannibal likewise, having been defeated in frequent battles by Scipio, himself also began to seek peace.

Cum uentum esset ad colloquium, isdem conditionibus data est quibus prius, additis quingentis milibus ponderibus argenti centum milia librarum propter nouam perfidiam. Carthaginiensibus conditiones displicuerunt iusseruntque Annibalem pugnare. Infertur a Scipione et Masinissa, alio rege Numidarum qui amicitiam cum Scipione fecerat, Carthagini bellum.

When it came to a conference, the same conditions were granted as before, with five hundred thousand weights of silver added — one hundred thousand librae because of the new perfidy. The Carthaginians were displeased with the conditions and commanded Hannibal to fight. War was carried into Carthage by Scipio and Masinissa, another king of the Numidians who had made friendship with Scipio.

Annibal tres exploratores ad Scipionis castra misit, quos captos Scipio circumduci per castra iussit ostendique his totum exercitum, mox etiam prandium dari dimittique, ut renuntiarent Annibali quae apud Romanos uidissent.

Annibal sent three explorers to Scipio’s camp, whom, once captured, Scipio ordered to be led about the camp and shown to the whole army, and shortly thereafter to be given a meal and dismissed, so that they might report back to Annibal what they had seen among the Romans.

23 Interea proelium ab utroque duce instructum est, quale uix ulla memoria fuit, cum peritissimi uiri copias suas ad bellum educerent. Scipio uictor recedit paene ipso Annibale capto, qui primum cum multis equitibus, deinde cum uiginti, postremo cum quattuor euasit. Inuenta in castris Annibalis argenti pondo uiginti milia, auri octingenta, coetera supellectilis copiosa.

23 Meanwhile a battle was drawn up by both leaders, such as scarcely any memory recalled, since the most seasoned men led out their forces to war. Scipio, victorious, withdrew with Hannibal himself almost captured; who at first escaped with many horsemen, then with twenty, and finally with four. Found in Hannibal’s camp were twenty thousand pounds of silver, eight hundred (pounds) of gold, and abundant other household goods.

Post id certamen pax cum Carthaginiensibus facta est. Scipio Romam rediit, ingenti gloria triumphauit atque Africanus ex eo appellari coeptus est. Finem accepit secundum Punicum bellum post annum nonum decimum quam coeperat.

After that contest peace was made with the Carthaginians. Scipio returned to Rome, triumphed with immense glory and began to be called Africanus. The Second Punic War reached its end in the nineteenth year after it had begun.

EXPLICIT HISTORIAE ROMANAE LIBER TERTIVS

EXPLICIT THE ROMAN HISTORY, BOOK 3