§21.42.1haec apud Romanos consul.
Thus the consul spoke among the Romans.
Hannibal rebus prius quam verbis adhortandos milites ratus circumdato ad spectaculum exercitu captivos montanos vinctos in medio statuit armisque Gallicis ante pedes eorum proiectis interrogare interpretem iussit, ecquis, si vinculis levaretur armaque et equum victor acciperet, decertare ferro vellet. §21.42.2cum ad unum omnes ferrum pugnamque poscerent et deiecta in id sors esset, se quisque eum optabat, quem fortuna in id certamen legeret; §21.42.3cuiusque sors exciderat, alacer inter gratulantes gaudio exsultans cum sui moris tripudiis arma raptim capiebat. §21.42.4ubi vero dimicarent, is habitus animorum non inter eiusdem modo condicionis homines erat sed etiam inter spectantes vulgo, ut non vincentium magis quam bene morientium fortuna laudaretur.
Hannibal, thinking that the soldiers should be encouraged by deeds rather than words, drew his army up in a circle for the spectacle, placed the bound captive mountaineers in the center, and, having cast Gallic weapons before their feet, ordered an interpreter to ask if any of them, if released from his chains and receiving weapons and a horse as victor, would be willing to fight to the death with the sword. When all to a man demanded the sword and the combat, and the lot was cast for that purpose, everyone wished himself to be the one whom fortune should select for that contest; and whosever lot fell out, eager and exulting with joy among those congratulating him, and with dances after their own custom, would quickly snatch up the arms. But when they actually fought, such was the state of mind, not only among those of the same condition, but also among the spectators in general, that the fortune of the victors was praised no more than that of those who died bravely.