rincipally, to such transactions as relate to the Carthaginians: and
endeavour, as far as I am able, to give my reader an idea of the genius
and character of Hannibal, who perhaps was the greatest warrior that
antiquity has to boast of.

_The remote and more immediate Causes of the second Punic War._--Before I
come to speak of the declaration of war betwixt the Romans and
Carthaginians, I think it necessary to explain the true causes of it; and
to point out by what steps this rupture, betwixt these two nations, was so
long preparing, before it openly broke out.

That man would be grossly mistaken, says Polybius,(705) who should look
upon the taking of Saguntum by Hannibal as the true cause of the second
Punic war. The regret of the Carthaginians for having so tamely given up
Sicily, by the treaty which terminated the first Punic war; the injustice
and violence of the Romans, who took advantage of the troubles excited in
Africa, to dispossess the Carthaginians of Sardinia, and to impose a new
tribute on them; and the success and conquests of the latter in Spain;
these were the true causes of the violation of the treaty, as Livy(706)
(agreeing here with Polybius) insinuates in few words, in the beginning of
his history of the second Punic war.

And indeed Hamilcar, surnamed Barca, was highly exasperated on account of
the last treaty, which the necessity of the times had compelled the
Carthaginians to submit to; and he therefore meditated the design of
taking just, though distant measures, for breaking it on the first
favourable opportunity that should offer.

When the troubles of Africa were appeased, he was sent upon an expedition
against the Numidians;(707) in which, giving fresh proofs of his courage
and abilities, his merit raised him to the command of the army which was
to act in Spain. Hannibal, his son, at that time but nine years of age,
begged with the utmost importunity to attend him on this occasion;(708)
and for that purpose employed all the soothing arts so common to children
of his age, and which have so much power over a tender father. Hamilcar
could not refuse him; and after having made him swear upon the altars,
that he would declare himself an enemy to the Romans as soon as age would
allow him to do it, he took his son with him.

Hamilcar possessed all the qualities which constitute the great general.
To an invincible courage, and the most consummate prudence, he added a
most engaging and insinuating