§21.21.1Hannibal Sagunto capto Carthaginem Nouam in hiberna concesserat, ibique auditis, quae Romae quaeque Carthagine acta decretaque forent, seque non ducem solum sed etiam causam esse belli, §21.21.2partitis diuenditisque reliquiis praedae nihil ultra differendum ratus Hispani generis milites convocat.
Hannibal, after the capture of Saguntum, had retired to New Carthage into winter quarters; and there, having heard what had been done and decreed both at Rome and at Carthage, and that he was not only the leader but also the cause of the war, having distributed and sold the remainder of the booty, and thinking that there should be no further delay, he called together the soldiers of Spanish origin.
§21.21.3“credo ego vos,” inquit “socii, et ipsos cernere, pacatis omnibus Hispaniae populis aut finiendam nobis militiam exercitusque dimittendos esse aut in alias terras transferendum bellum; §21.21.4ita enim hae gentes non pacis solum sed etiam victoriae bonis florebunt, si ex aliis gentibus praedam et gloriam quaeremus.
"I believe, allies," he said, "that you yourselves also perceive that, now that all the peoples of Spain are pacified, we must either finish our military service and disband our armies, or transfer the war into other lands; for thus these nations will flourish not only with the blessings of peace but also of victory, if we seek booty and glory from other nations.
§21.21.5itaque cum longinqua a domo instet militia incertumque sit, quando domos vestras et quae cuique ibi cara sunt visuri sitis, si quis vestrum suos invisere volt, commeatum do.
Therefore, since a campaign far from home is at hand, and it is uncertain when you will see your homes and what is dear to each of you there, if any of you wishes to visit his people, I grant him leave.
§21.21.6primo vere edico adsitis, ut diis bene iuvantibus bellum ingentis gloriae praedaeque futurum incipiamus. ” §21.21.7omnibus fere visendi domos oblata ultro potestas grata erat, et iam desiderantibus suos et longius in futurum providentibus desiderium.
I command you to be present at the beginning of spring, so that, with the gracious help of the gods, we may begin a war that will bring immense glory and booty." The opportunity of visiting their homes, voluntarily offered, was pleasing to almost all, who were already longing for their loved ones and also foreseeing that longing far into the future.
§21.21.8per totum tempus hiemis quies inter labores aut iam exhaustos aut mox exhauriendos renovavit corpora animosque ad omnia de integro patienda.
Throughout the whole time of winter, rest between labours, either already exhausted or soon to be exhausted, restored their bodies and minds to endure all things anew.
vere primo ad edictum convenere.
At the beginning of spring they assembled according to the edict.
§21.21.9Hannibal cum recensuisset omnium gentium auxilia, Gadis profectus Herculi vota exsolvit novisque se obligat votis, si cetera prospera evenissent.
Hannibal, having reviewed the auxiliaries of all nations, set out for Gades and fulfilled his vows to Hercules, and bound himself with new vows, in case his other undertakings should turn out successful.
§21.21.10inde partiens curas simul in inferendum atque arcendum bellum, ne, dum ipse terrestri per Hispaniam Galliasque itinere Italiam peteret, nuda apertaque Romanis Africa ab Sicilia esset, valido praesidio firmare eam statuit.
Thence, dividing his cares at once between waging and warding off war, lest, while he himself should seek Italy by a land route through Spain and Gaul, Africa should be left bare and open to the Romans from Sicily, he decided to secure it with a strong garrison.
§21.21.11pro eo supplementum ipse ex Africa maxime iaculatorum, levium armis, petiit, ut Afri in Hispania, Hispani in Africa, melior procul ab domo futurus uterque miles, velut mutuis pigneribus obligati, stipendia facerent.
In place of this, he himself requested a reinforcement from Africa, chiefly of javelin-throwers and light-armed troops, so that Africans might serve in Spain, Spaniards in Africa—each soldier being likely to be better far from home, as if bound by mutual pledges.
§21.21.12tredecim milia octingentos quinquaginta pedites caetratos misit in Africam et funditores Baleares octingentos septuaginta, equites mixtos ex multis gentibus mille ducentos.
He sent thirteen thousand eight hundred and fifty targeteers to Africa, and eight hundred and seventy Balearic slingers, and twelve hundred mixed cavalry from many nations.
§21.21.13has copias partim Carthagini praesidio esse, partim distribui per Africam iubet.
He ordered these forces partly to be a garrison for Carthage, and partly to be distributed throughout Africa.
simul conquisitoribus in civitates missis quattuor milia conscripta delectae iuventutis, praesidium eosdem et obsides, duci Carthaginem iubet.
At the same time, sending recruiting officers into the states, he ordered four thousand conscripts of chosen youth, to be at once a garrison and hostages, to be led to Carthage.