17. strato: stratum, bed, blanket.
accersita: = arcessita, from arcessere, to summon, obtain, induce.
sagulo: sagulum,military cloak.
opertum: operire,to cover.
19. vestitus: clothing.
nihil: here = a strong non.
inter aequales: i.e., in comparison to his fellow soldiers.
excellens:superior, extravagant.
HANNIBAL AND THE SECOND PUNIC WAR
The nature and character of Hannibal.
“Hamilcar Asks Hannibal to Swear His Hatred of the Romans” Giovanni Battista Pittoni, 18th century Pinacoteca di Brera, Milan, Italy
Scala/Art Resource, NY.
Missus Hannibal in Hispaniam primo statim adventu omnem exercitum in se convertit: Hamilcarem iuvenem redditum sibi veteres milites credere; eundem vigorem in vultu vimque in oculis, habitum oris lineamentaque intueri. Dein brevi effecit ut 5 pater in se minimum momentum ad favorem conciliandum esset. Numquam ingenium idem ad res diversissimas, parendum atque imperandum, habilius fuit. Itaque haud facile discerneres utrum imperatori an exercitui carior esset; neque Hasdrubal alium quemquam praeficere malle, ubi quid fortiter ac strenue 10 agendum esset, neque milites alio duce plus confidere aut audere. Plurimum audaciae ad pericula capessenda, plurimum consilii inter ipsa pericula erat. Nullo labore aut corpus fatigari aut animus vinci poterat. Caloris ac frigoris patientia par; cibi potionisque desiderio naturali, non voluptate, modus finitus; vigiliarum 15 somnique nec die nec nocte discriminata tempora: id quod gerendis rebus superesset quieti datum; ea neque molli strato neque silentio accersita; multi saepe militari sagulo opertum humi iacentem inter custodias stationesque militum conspexerunt. Vestitus nihil inter aequales excellens; arma atque 20 equi conspiciebantur. Equitum peditumque idem longe primus erat: princeps in proelium ibat, ultimus conserto proelio excedebat. Has tantas viri virtutes ingentia vitia aequabant: inhumana crudelitas, perfidia plus quam Punica, nihil sancti, nullus deum metus, nullum ius iurandum, nulla religio. Cum hac indole virtutum 25 atque vitiorum triennio sub Hasdrubale imperatore meruit nulla re, quae agenda videndaque magno futuro duci esset, praetermissa. (XXI.4.1–10)
20. conspiciebantur: were conspicuous.
peditum: pedes,foot-soldier; pl., infantry.
21. conserto: conserere, to connect, join, engage (in battle).
23. perfidia plus quam Punica: since to the Romans fides Punica was proverbial for utter faithlessness and treachery, this characterization is the ultimate insult.
deum: = deorum.
24. nullum ius iurandum: no oath = no respect for oaths. This entire characterization reflects the Romans’ bitter hatred of Hannibal, who had nearly defeated Rome and for over a decade had roamed the heartland of Italy at will; in fact, based on the account of the historian Polybius and even some other passages in Livy, it is generally agreed that descriptions like the one here exaggerated the enormity of Hannibal’s sins.
indole: indoles,nature, disposition, talent; here, natural endowment.
25. triennio: a not uncommon use of the ABL. OF TIME WITHIN WHICH where we might have expected the ACC. OF DURATION OF TIME.
meruit: merere,to earn (pay), serve as a soldier.
26. nulla re…praetermissa (27): ABL. ABS.
28. Druentia: the Durance, a tributary of the Rhone in southeastern Gaul.
campestri: lit., like a field, level; i.e., the march was largely through open country.
29. cum bona pace: i.e., with the good will; ABL. OF ATTENDANT CIRCUMSTANCE.
incolentium: incolere,to inhabit.
30. praecepta…erat: had been anticipated.
ex propinquo: Livy is fond of using a prep. and the n. of an adj. with adv. or adj. force: from a near thing, close at hand, at close range.
31. nives: nix, snow.
caelo: dat. with immixtae.
prope: prep. + acc., near; adv., nearly, almost.
tecta: tectum,roof, dwelling, house.
32. imposita: we might say perched on.
rupibus: rupes,rock, cliff.
pecora: pecus,cattle, herd.
iumenta: iumentum,beast of burden, pack animal.
torpida:stiff, numb.
33. intonsi et inculti: unshaven and unkempt.
