§1.1Hannibal, Hamilcaris filius, Karthaginiensis.
Hannibal, son of Hamilcar, Carthaginian.
si verum est, quod nemo dubitat, ut populus Romanus omnes gentes virtute superarit, non est infitiandum Hannibalem tanto praestitisse ceteros imperatores prudentia, quanto populus Romanus antecedat fortitudine cunctas nationes.
If it is true, which no one doubts, that the Roman people surpassed all nations in valor, it must not be denied that Hannibal excelled other commanders in prudence by as much as the Roman people precede all nations in bravery.
§1.2nam quotienscumque cum eo congressus est in Italia, semper discessit superior.
For as often as he engaged with them in Italy, he always departed superior.
quod nisi domi civium suorum invidia debilitatus esset, Romanos videtur superare potuisse.
And if he had not been weakened at home by the jealousy of his own fellow-citizens, he seems to have been able to overcome the Romans.
sed multorum obtrectatio devicit unius virtutem.
But the detraction of the many conquered the virtue of the one.
§1.3Hic autem velut hereditate relictum odium paternum erga Romanos sic conservavit, ut prius animam quam id deposuerit, qui quidem, cum patria pulsus esset et alienarum opum indigeret, numquam destiterit animo bellare cum Romanis.
This man, moreover, so preserved his father's hatred against the Romans, left to him as if by inheritance, that he laid down his life sooner than he did that hatred; who indeed, when he had been driven from his country and was in need of foreign resources, never ceased to wage war in his mind against the Romans.