§30.30.1summotis pari spatio armatis cum singulis interpretibus congressi sunt, non suae modo aetatis maximi duces, sed omnis ante se memoriae, omnium gentium cuilibet regum imperatorumve pares.
Having removed their armed men to an equal distance, they met with one interpreter each, being not only the greatest generals of their own age, but of all memory before them, equal to any of the kings or commanders of all nations.
§30.30.2paulisper alter alterius conspectu, admiratione mutua prope attoniti, conticuere.
For a short time, they kept silence, each almost thunderstruck by the sight of the other and by mutual admiration.
§30.30.3tum Hannibal prior: “si hoc ita fato datum erat, ut qui primus bellum intuli populo Romano quique totiens prope in manibus victoriam habui, is ultro ad pacem petendam venirem, laetor te mihi sorte potissimum datum, a quo peterem.
Then Hannibal spoke first: “If it was so ordained by fate that I, who was the first to bring war upon the Roman people and who so many times held victory almost in my hands, should come of my own accord to seek peace, I rejoice that you especially have been given to me by lot, from whom I should seek it.
§30.30.4tibi quoque inter multa egregia non in ultimis laudum hoc fuerit, Hannibalem, cui tot de Romanis ducibus victoriam di dedissent, tibi cessisse, teque huic bello, vestris prius quam nostris cladibus insigni, finem imposuisse.
For you also, among many illustrious achievements, this will not be in the lowest rank of praise: that Hannibal, to whom the gods had granted victory over so many Roman generals, has yielded to you, and that you have put an end to this war, remarkable for your disasters before ours.
§30.30.5hoc quoque ludibrium casus ediderit fortuna, ut, cum patre tuo consule ceperim arma, cum eodem primum Romano imperatore signa contulerim, ad filium eius inermis ad pacem petendam veniam.
Fortune must also have produced this mockery of chance, that, having taken up arms when your father was consul, and having first clashed in battle with him as the first Roman commander, I should come unarmed to his son to seek peace.
§30.30.6optimum quidem fuerat eam patribus nostris mentem datam ab dis esse, ut et vos Italiae et nos Africae imperio contenti essemus; §30.30.7neque enim ne vobis quidem Sicilia ac Sardinia satis digna pretia sunt pro tot classibus, tot exercitibus, tot tam egregiis amissis ducibus.
It would indeed have been best if such a mind had been given to our fathers by the gods, that you should be content with the empire of Italy, and we with that of Africa; for indeed, not even to you are Sicily and Sardinia a sufficiently worthy reward for so many fleets, so many armies, and so many outstanding generals lost.
sed praeterita magis reprehendi possunt quam corrigi.
But past events can be blamed rather than corrected.
§30.30.8ita aliena adpetivimus, ut de nostris dimicaremus, nec in Italia solum nobis bellum, vobis in Africa esset, sed et vos in portis vestris prope ac moenibus signa armaque hostium vidistis et nos ab Carthagine fremitum castrorum Romanorum exaudim — §30.30.9s.
We so coveted what belonged to others that we had to fight for our own, nor was the war only for us in Italy and for you in Africa, but you also have seen the standards and arms of the enemy almost in your gates and walls, and we hear from Carthage the din of the Roman camp. — s.
quod igitur nos maxime abominaremur, vos ante omnia optaretis, in meliore vestra fortuna de pace agitur.
Therefore, that which we would most abominate, and you would desire above all things, is now being negotiated in your better fortune.
agimus ei, quorum et maxime interest pacem esse, et qui quodcumque egerimus, ratum civitates nostrae habiturae sunt.
We negotiate as those who are both most interested in there being peace, and whose decisions, whatever we decide, our states will hold ratified.
animo tantum nobis opus est non abhorrente a quietis consiliis.
We only need a mind not shrinking from quiet counsels.
§30.30.10quod ad me attinet, iam aetas senem in patriam revertentem, unde puer profectus sum, iam secundae, iam adversae res ita erudierunt, ut rationem sequi quam fortunam malim; §30.30.11tuam et adulescentiam et perpetuam felicitatem, ferociora utraque quam quietis opus est consiliis, metuo.
As far as I am concerned, now my age, returning as an old man to my country which I left as a boy, now prosperity, now adversity have so schooled me that I prefer to follow reason rather than fortune; I fear both your youth and your uninterrupted good fortune, both of which are more impetuous than is needed for quiet counsels.
non temere incerta casuum reputat, quem fortuna numquam decepit.
He whom fortune has never deceived does not easily reflect on the uncertainty of chances.
§30.30.12quod ego fui ad Trasumennum, ad Cannas, id tu hodie es.
What I was at Trasumennum and at Cannae, that you are today.
vixdum militari aetate imperio accepto omnia audacissime incipientem nusquam fefellit fortuna.
Having accepted command when scarcely of military age, fortune has nowhere failed you as you began everything most audaciously.
§30.30.13patris et patrui persecutus mortem ex calamitate vestrae domus decus insigne virtutis pietatisque eximiae cepisti; amissas Hispanias reciperasti quattuor inde Punicis exercitibus pulsis; §30.30.14consul creatus, cum ceteris ad tutandam Italiam parum animi esset, transgressus in Africam, duobus hic exercitibus caesis, binis eadem hora captis simul incensisque castris, Syphace potentissimo rege capto, tot urbibus regni eius, tot nostri imperii ereptis, me sextum decimum iam annum haerentem in possessione Italiae detraxisti.
Avenging the death of your father and uncle, you have derived from the calamity of your house a distinguished glory of virtue and extraordinary piety; you recovered the lost Spains, having driven thence four Carthaginian armies; created consul, when the rest had too little courage to defend Italy, having crossed over into Africa, having here destroyed two armies, captured and burned two camps in the same hour, taken Syphax, a most powerful king, and snatched away so many cities of his kingdom and so many of our empire, you have dragged me away, who have been clinging to the possession of Italy for now sixteen years.
potest victoriam malle quam pacem animus.
Your mind can prefer victory to peace.
novi spiritus magnos magis quam utiles;
I know great spirits rather than useful ones;