§2.1Nam ut omittam Philippum, quem absens hostem reddidit Romanis, omnium iis temporibus potentissimus rex Antiochus fuit.
For to say nothing of Philip, whom though absent he rendered an enemy to the Romans, Antiochus was the most powerful king of all in those times.
hunc tanta cupiditate incendit bellandi, ut usque a rubro mari arma conatus sit inferre Italiae.
Hannibal inflamed him with such a great desire for waging war, that he attempted to bring arms against Italy even from the Red Sea.
§2.2ad quem cum legati venissent Romani, qui de eius voluntate explorarent darentque operam consiliis clandestinis ut Hannibalem in suspicionem regi adducerent, tamquam ab ipsis corruptus alia atque antea sentiret, neque id frustra fecissent idque Hannibal comperisset §2.3seque ab interioribus consiliis segregari vidisset, tempore dato adiit ad regem, eique cum multa de fide sua et odio in Romanos commemorasset, hoc adiunxit: 'pater meus' inquit 'Hamilcar puerulo me, utpote non amplius novem annos nato, in Hispaniam imperator proficiscens Karthagine Iovi optimo maximo hostias immolavit.
When Roman ambassadors had come to him in order to explore his disposition and to exert themselves through secret plots to bring Hannibal into suspicion with the king, as if he had been corrupted by them and held different views than before, and they had not done this in vain, and Hannibal had discovered it, and had seen himself excluded from the more intimate councils, having found an opportunity, he went to the king, and when he had recalled many things concerning his own fidelity and hatred toward the Romans, he added this: "My father Hamilcar," he said, "when I was a young boy, being indeed not more than nine years old, setting out for Spain as commander, sacrificed victims to Jupiter Greatest and Best at Carthage.
§2.4quae divina res dum conficiebatur, quaesivit a me vellemne secum in castra proficisci.
While this sacred rite was being performed, he asked of me whether I wished to set out with him to the camp.
id cum libenter accepissem atque ab eo petere coepissem ne dubitaret ducere, tum ille, faciam, inquit, si mihi fidem quam postulo dederis. simul me ad aram adduxit, apud quam sacrificare instituerat, eamque ceteris remotis tenentem iurare iussit numquam me in amicitia cum Romanis fore.
When I had gladly accepted this and had begun to beg of him not to hesitate to take me, then he said, 'I will do so, if you give me the pledge which I demand.' At the same time, he led me to the altar, at which he had determined to sacrifice, and, after others had been removed, ordered me, holding it, to swear that I would never be in friendship with the Romans.
§2.5id ego iusiurandum patri datum usque ad hanc aetatem ita conservavi, ut nemini dubium esse debeat, quin reliquo tempore eadem mente sim futurus.
This oath given to my father I have so preserved up to this age, that no one ought to doubt that I will be of the same mind for the remaining time.
§2.6quare si quid amice de Romanis cogitabis, non imprudenter feceris, si me celaris; cum quidem bellum parabis, te ipsum frustraberis, si non me in eo principem posueris. '
Therefore, if you think of anything friendly regarding the Romans, you will act not imprudently if you conceal it from me; but indeed when you prepare war, you will frustrate yourself if you do not place me as the leader in it."