traduxit. Ilergetes inde, Bargusiosque, et Ausetanos, et U. C. 536. Lacetaniam, quæ subjecta Pyrenæis montibus est, subegit: A. C. 218. oræque huic omni præfecit Hannonem, ut fauces, quæ Hispanias Galliis jungunt, in potestate essent. Decem millia peditum Hannoni ad præsidium obtinendæ regionis data, et mille equites. Postquam per Pyrenæum saltum traduci exercitus est cœptus, rumorque per barbaros manavit certior de bello Romano; tria millia inde Carpetanorum peditum iter averterunt. Constabat, non tam bello motos, quam longinquitate viæ insuperabilique Alpium transitu. Hannibal, quia revocare aut vi retinere eos anceps erat, ne ceterorum etiam feroces animi irritarentur, supra septem millia hominum domos remisit, quos et ipsos gravari militia senserat, Carpetanos quoque ab se dimissos simulans. Inde, ne mora atque otium animos sollicitarent, cum reliquis copiis Pyrenæum transgreditur, et ad oppidum Illiberi' castra locat. Galli quanquam Italiæ bellum inferri the Rhone. 2. The descriptions of the inclement features of the mountains, which are applicable only to the higher elevations, and not to Mont Genevre, which lies far below the level of perpetual snow; and of the plains by which he approached the mountains, (" Campestri maximè itinere," &c.) applicable only to the pleasant valleys of the Isere, through which Polybius leads the Carthaginians. 3. The arrival of Hannibal among the enemies of his own allies, which is irreconcileable with the fact of his having halted to refresh the troops. It would appear, in short, upon the whole of Livy's account, that he copied the beginning and the end of the narrative of Polybius, which do not correspond with the intermediate details supplied by himself. In addition to these, other theories have been advanced in modern times, according to which this memorable passage of the Alps was effected over the Pennine ridge, (the Great St. Bernard); or Mont Cenis, which is the route generally adopted at present; and, as far as we can ascer tain, was first used by Charlemagne in his invasion of Italy, during the Lombard wars in the eighth century. Some of the features of this route, however, correspond with Livy's account; the road enclosed by the rocks and the mountain-stream (the Cennisolle); the precipices rising 7 Nonaginta millia peditum, &c.] 8 Pyrenæum saltum.] Saltus literally signifies either "an eminence," or, "an interval;" but is generally understood to mean an open elevated space in a wood, ("a glade"); sometimes as signifying the wood itself, when the idea of an elevation is included. In Livy, we may generally take it to mean what we call a defile." 24. A. C. 218. U. C. 536. audiebant, tamen, quia vi subactos trans Pyrenæum Hispanos fama erat, præsidiaque valida imposita, metu servitutis ad arma consternati, Ruscinonem aliquot populi conveniunt. Quod ubi Hannibali nuntiatum est, moram magis, quam bellum, metuens, oratores ad regulos eorum misit, colloqui semet ipsum velle cum his; et vel illi pro'pius Illiberi accederent, vel se Ruscinonem processurum, 'ut ex propinquo congressus facilior esset: nam et acceptu6 rum eos in castra sua se lætum, nec cunctanter se ipsum ' ad eos venturum. Hospitem enim se Galliæ, non hostem1, ' advenisse nec stricturum ante gladium, si : per Gallos ' liceat, quam in Italiam venisset.' Et per nuntios quidem hæc. Ut vero reguli Gallorum, castris ad Illiberim extemplo motis, haud gravate ad Poenum venerunt; capti donis cum bona pace exercitum per fines suos præter Ruscinonem oppidum transmiserunt. 25. In Italiam interim nihil ultra, quam Iberum transisse Hannibalem, a Massiliensium legatis Romam perlatum erat: quum perinde, àc si Alpes jam transisset, Boiio, sollicitatis Insubribus, defecerunt; nec tam ob veteres in populum Romanum iras, quam quod nuper circa Padum, Placentiam Cremonamque colonias in agrum Gallicum deductas ægre patiebantur. Itaque, armis repente arreptis, in eum ipsum agrum impetu facto, tantum terroris ac tumultus fecerunt, ut non agrestis modo multitudo, sed ipsi 3 Ruscinonem.] This name has evidently been corrupted into the modern Rousillon. 4 Hospitem non hostem.] These words were originally identical, both signifying "stranger;" but, the sacred character of a stranger needing protection, gave to one of the forms an amicable signification. The alliteration in the original cannot be very easily transferred into English; unless the terms "friend" and "foe" be considered sufficiently expressive, and similar in sound. A somewhat similar ambiguity exists in the French and Italian hôte and ospite. 15 Transmiserunt.] After this word, several commentators propose to subjoin in Italiam, taken from the beginning of the next chapter. 6 Boii.] This tribe inhabited the country between the Po and the northern side of the Apennines, nearly corresponding to the limits of the Duchies of Milan and Parma, and containing the cities Milan, Pavia, Lodi, &c. Up to this time they had been in a state of quiet subjection, since their decisive defeat at Populonia, by the Consul Æmilius Papus, about fifty years previously. The colonies of Placentia and Cremona were planted, most probably, with the same view as Salernum, Cosa, Pæstum, and Beneventum; to secure and appropriate conquered territories, and to unite Italy against Carthage, with which a decisive struggle must have been, for some time, anticipated. The subsequent histories of Cremona and Placentia present many vicissitudes. Both suffered severely in the wars of the Triumvirs, the contest between Vitellius and Vespasian, and the wars of the Goths and Lombards. Under the Romans, Milan became the seat of a University, and was called Nova Athenæ: under the Constantines, it took precedence of Rome itself, but was successively destroyed by Vitiges, Alboin, and Barbarossa. 8 triumviri Romani', qui ad agrum venerant assignandum, U. C. 536. diffisi Placentiæ moenibus, Mutinam confugerint, C. Luta- A. C. 218. tius, C. Servilius, T. Annius. Lutatii nomen haud dubium est: pro C. Servilio et T. Annio Q. Acilium et C. Herennium habent quidam annales: alii P. Cornelium Asinam et C. Papirium Masonem. Id quoque dubium est, legati, ad expostulandum missi ad Boios, violati sint, an in triumviros agrum metantes impetus sit factus. Mutinæ quum obsiderentur, et gens, ad oppugnandarum urbium artes rudis, pigerrima eadem ad militaria opera, segnis intactis assideret muris, simulari cœptum de pace agi1: evocatique ab Gallorum principibus legati ad colloquium, non contra jus modo gentium, sed violata etiam, quæ data in id tempus erat, fide, comprehenduntur; negantibus Gallis, nisi obsides sibi redderentur, eos dimissuros. Quum hæc de legatis nuntiata essent, et Mutina præsidiumque in periculo esset, L. Manlius prætor, ira accensus, effusum agmen ad Mutinam ducit. Silvæ tunc circa viam erant, plerisque incultis. Ibi, inexplorato profectus, in insidias præcipitatus, multaque cum cæde suorum ægre in apertos campos emersit. Ibi castra communita; et, quia Gallis ad tentanda ea defuit spes, refecti sunt militum animi, quanquam sexcentos cecidisse satis constabat. Iter deinde de integro cœptum; nec, dum per patentia loca ducebatur agmen, apparuit hostis: ubi rursus silvæ intratæ, tum postremos adorti, cum magna trepidatione ac pavore omnium, octin 8 Mutinam.] This city (Modena) was a place of considerable power and prosperity under the Roman Republic; "firmissima et splendidissima colonia," is the character attributed to it by Cicero. But it has been so often destroyed, and so often risen from its ruins, that not only have all vestiges of its ancient splendour disappeared, but even the certainty that the modern town stands upon the site of the ancient. Modena has been distinguished as the birth-place of the celebrated patron of literature, Alfonso d'Este; the antiquarians Muratori and Tiraboschi; and other eminent persons. 9 Rudis, pigerrima.] These epithets indicate two different defects; the former signifying a want of practice and cultivation; the latter, a natural incapacity, or, want of ingenuity. 1.Simulari cœptum agi.] "A pretended negociation began." 2 Silva tunc &c.-plerisque incultis.] Here we might, at the first view, expect to read pleræque inculta; but the ablative absolute conveys a peculiar force, giving a reason for the preceding proposition; thus, "The woods enclosed both sides of the road; as they were for the most part (or, as the general features of the scene were) wild." 3 Præcipitatus, multaque, &c.] To maintain the connexion of the sentence, we must either understand præcipitatus as a verb; or remove que, or read præcipitatur. 4 Accisas res.] "Their strength was reduced." Accisus literally signifies, "diminished by cutting away all round." Instead of accisas res, Gronovius, on the authority of one Ms., proposes to read, ad...cecidisse. U. C. 536. gentos milites occiderunt, sex signa ademere. Finis et A. C. 218. Gallis territandi, et pavendi Romanis fuit, ut e saltu invio atque impedito evasere. Inde, apertis locis facile tutantes agmen3, Romani Tanetum, vicum propinquum Pado, contendere ibi se munimento ad tempus commeatibusque fluminis et Brixianorum Gallorum auxilio, adversus crescentem in dies multitudinem hostium, tutabantur. Qui tumultus' repens postquam est Romam perlatus, et Punicum insuper Gallico bello auctum Patres acceperunt; C. Atilium prætorem cum una legione Romana et quinque millibus sociorum, delectu novo a consule conscriptis, auxilium ferre Manlio jubent: qui sine ullo certamine (abscesserant enim metu hostes) Tanetum pervenit. 26. Et P. Cornelius, in locum ejus, quæ missa cum prætore fuerat, transcripta legione nova, profectus ab urbe sexaginta longis navibus, præter oram Etruriæ Ligurumque1, et inde Salyum montes, pervenit Massiliam, et ad proximum ostium Rhodani (pluribus enim divisus amnis in mare decurrit) castra locat: vixdum satis credens, Hannibalem superasse Pyrenæos montes. Quem ut de Rhodani quoque transitu agitare animadvertit, incertus, quonam ei loco occurreret, necdum satis refectis ab jactatione maritima militibus, trecentos interim delectos equites, ducibus Massiliensibus et auxiliaribus Gallis, ad exploranda omnia visendosque ex tuto hostes præmittit. Hannibal, ceteris metu aut pretio pacatis, jam in Volcarum pervenerat agrum, 5 Tutantes agmen.] Their discipline and action in masses gave the Romans an advantage on the open plain but in physical strength and agility, they were very unequal to the Celts in guerilla. Tanetum, now Tanedo, south-east of Parma. 6 Munimento ad tempus &c.] "They protected themselves against &c. by a temporary fortification, the river communication, and the aid of the Brixian Gauls." These have perpetuated their name in that of the modern Brescia, situated in the territory of Venice. The river is now known as the Senza. 7 Qui tumultus.] "But when this sudden alarm" &c. The suddenness of all the early Gallic invasions suggested the use of the phrase tumultus, which appears still more applicable, when we find that on many occasions they retreated so suddenly, that "the alarm" was all. 8 Quinque millibus sociorum.] According to Niebuhr, the troops of the Italian allies received rations from the Roman government; their infantry receiving the same proportion as the legionaries, and their cavalry two-thirds of the allowance of the knights. Each town had a stated contingent to supply, to equip, and to pay, in addition to contributing the rations of their cavalry, on emergencies: they also appointed their own officers, and nominated commanders-in-chief, subject to the approval of the consuls. 9 Transcripta legione nová.] Having raised and substituted a new legion," &c. 1 Præter oram Etruria Ligurumque,] i. e. across the gulf of Genoa. 2 Salyum montes.] This tribe, called also Salluvii, inhabited the country south of the Druentia, now Provence. 4 5 gentis validæ. Colunt autem circa utramque ripam Rho- U. C. 536. dani: sed, diffisi citeriore agro3 arceri Poenum posse, ut A. C. 218. flumen pro munimento haberent, omnibus ferme suis trans Rhodanum trajectis, ulteriorem ripam amnis armis obtinebant. Ceteros accolas fluminis Hannibal, et eorum ipsorum, quos sedes suæ tenuerant, simul pellicit donis ad naves undique contrahendas fabricandasque: simul et ipsi trajici exercitum, levarique quam primum regionem suam tanta urgente hominum turba cupiebant. Itaque ingens coacta vis navium est lintriumque temere ad vicinalem usum paratarum: novasque alias primum Galli inchoantes cavabant ex singulis arboribus': deinde et ipsi milites, simul copia materiæ, simul facilitate operis inducti, alveos informes, (nihil, dummodo innare aquæ et capere onera possent, curantes) quibus se suaque transveherent, raptim faciebant. Jamque omnibus satis comparatis ad trajiciendum, terrebant ex adverso hostes, omnem ripam equis virisque obtinentes. Quos ut averteret, Hannonem, Bomilcaris filium, vigilia prima noctis, cum parte copiarum, maxime Hispanis, adverso flumine ire iter unius diei jubet; et, ubi primum possit quam occultissime trajecto amni, circumducere agmen, ut, quum opus facto sit, adoriatur ab tergo hostem. Ad id dati duces Galli edocent, inde millia quinque et viginti ferme supra, parvæ insulæ circumfusum. amnem, latiorem, ubi dividebatur, eoque minus alto alveo, transitum ostendere. Ibi raptim cæsa materia ratesque fabricatæ, in quibus equi virique et alia onera trajicerentur. Hispani sine ulla mole, in utres vestimentis conjectis', ipsi 3 Sed, diffisi citeriore agro &c.] As they were aware of Hannibal's intention of crossing the river, and were anxious to avail themselves of that barrier as soon as possible, they removed to the western bank, which Hannibal was about to leave. 4 Eorum ipsorum, quos sedes &c.] "And such, even of these, (sc. the Volca) as their old residences had kept there." Qui sedes tenuerant has been suggested as an emendation. 5 Temere ad vicinalem usum &c.] "Hastily prepared for local purposes." 6 Primùm inchoantes.] "Then for the first time." 7 Ex singulis arboribus.] “Each from a separate tree." 8 Adverso flumine, "up the river." Opp. to secundo flumine," down the river." 9 Inde millia quinque et viginti.] "About twenty-five miles farther up (inde supra) the river, encircling a small island, being wider where it branched out, and proportionately less deep, offered a passage." It is impossible to ascertain what island is here alluded to: for the Rhone abounds in those small islands, from Valence to the sea. 1 In utres vestimentis conjectis &c.] This method of crossing rivers is described by many travellers, who have employed the assistance of native barbarians in several countries. The author of "Eothen," among the rest, describes a passage of the Jordan effected much in this way by the Arabs of the neighbourhood. For suppositis, several Mss. have superpositis, i. e. laid over them. 27. |