ry respect, and scarce beginning to breathe, were in no
condition to sustain a war. The necessity of the times was therefore to be
complied with, and they were forced to yield to a more powerful rival. A
fresh treaty was thereupon made, by which they gave up Sardinia to the
Romans; and obliged themselves to a new payment of twelve hundred talents,
to keep off the war with which they were menaced. This injustice of the
Romans was the true cause of the second Punic war, as will appear in the
sequel.

_The second Punic War._(704)--The second Punic war, which I am now going to
relate, is one of the most memorable recorded in history, and most worthy
the attention of an inquisitive reader; whether we consider the boldness
of the enterprises; the wisdom employed in the execution; the obstinate
efforts of two rival nations, and the ready resources they found in their
lowest ebb of fortune; the variety of uncommon events, and the uncertain
issue of so long and bloody a war; or lastly, the assemblage of the most
perfect models in every kind of merit; and the most instructive lessons
that occur in history, either with regard to war, policy, or government.
Never did two more powerful, or at least more warlike, states or nations
make war against each other; and never had these in question seen
themselves raised to a more exalted pitch of power and glory. Rome and
Carthage were, doubtless, at that time, the two first states of the world.
Having already tried their strength in the first Punic war, and thereby
made an essay of each other's power, they knew perfectly well what either
could do. In this second war, the fate of arms was so equally balanced,
and the success so intermixed with vicissitudes and varieties, that that
party triumphed which had been most in danger of being ruined. Great as
the forces of these two nations were, it may almost be said, that their
mutual hatred was still greater. The Romans, on one side, could not
without indignation see the vanquished presuming to attack them; and the
Carthaginians, on the other, were exasperated at the equally rapacious and
harsh treatment which they pretended to have received from the victor.

The plan which I have laid down does not permit me to enter into an exact
detail of this war, whereof Italy, Sicily, Spain, and Africa, were the
several seats; and which has a still closer connection with the Roman
history than with that I am now writing. I shall confine myself therefore,
p