.C.]

[Footnote 82: Lucius AEmilius Paulus was then Consul.]

[Footnote 83: Hannibal's brother, who, nine years later, crossed the
Alps and was killed in battle by the Romans. It was a tradition in
Rome that Hasdrubal's head, severed from his body, was sent to
Hannibal.]

[Footnote 84: The younger brother of Hannibal, who in 200 B.C. was
defeated by Scipio at Silpia.]

[Footnote 85: The site of Cannae in Apulia, southern Italy, near the
Adriatic shore, lies on the bank of the river Aufidus, now called the
Ofanto.]

II

HANNIBAL'S ADVANCE ON ROME[86] (211 B.C.)

When the news had arrived at Rome that Hannibal had encamped over
against their lines, and was actually besieging their forces, there
was a universal excitement and terror, from a feeling that the result
of the impending battle would decide the whole war. Consequently, with
one heart and soul, the citizens had all devoted themselves to
sending out reenforcements and making preparations for this struggle.
On their part, the Capuans were encouraged by the receipt of
Hannibal's letter, and by thus learning the object of the Carthaginian
movement, to stand by their determination, and to await the issue of
this new hope. At the end of the fifth day, therefore, after his
arrival on the ground, Hannibal ordered his men to take their supper
as usual, and leave their watch-fires burning; and started with such
secrecy that none of the enemy knew what was happening. He took the
road through Samnium, and marched at a great pace and without
stopping, his skirmishers always keeping before him to reconnoiter and
occupy all the posts along the route: and while those in Rome had
their thoughts still wholly occupied with Capua,[87] and the campaign
there, he crossed the Anio without being observed; and having arrived
at a distance of not more than forty stades from Rome, there pitched
his camp.

On this being known at Rome, the utmost confusion and terror prevailed
among the inhabitants--this movement of Hannibal's being as unexpected
as it was sudden; for he had never been so close to the city before.
At the same time their alarm was increased by the idea at once
occurring to them that he would not have ventured so near if it were
not that the armies at Capua were destroyed. Accordingly, the men at
once went to line the walls, and the points of vantage in the defenses
of the town; while the women went round to the temples of the gods and
implored their protect