h some difficulty, as the senate was divided betwixt
two powerful factions, which, from Hamilcar's time, had began to follow
opposite views in the administration and affairs of the state. One faction
was headed by Hanno, whose birth, merit, and zeal for the public welfare,
gave him great influence in the public deliberations. This faction
proposed, on every occasion, the concluding of a safe peace, and the
preserving the conquests in Spain, as being preferable to the uncertain
events of an expensive war, which they foresaw would one day occasion the
ruin of Carthage. The other, called the Barcinian faction, because it
supported the interests of Barca and his family, had, to the credit and
influence which it had long enjoyed in the city, added the reputation
which the signal exploits of Hamilcar and Asdrubal had given it; and
declared openly for war. When therefore Asdrubal's demand came to be
debated in the senate, Hanno represented the danger of sending so early
into the field a young man, who already possessed all the haughtiness and
imperious temper of his father; and who ought, therefore, rather to be
kept a long time, and very carefully, under the eye of the magistrates and
the power of the laws, that he might learn obedience, and a modesty which
should teach him not to think himself superior to all other men. He
concluded with saying, that he feared this spark, which was then kindling,
would one day rise to a conflagration. His remonstrances were not heard,
so that the Barcinian faction had the superiority, and Hannibal set out
for Spain.

The moment of his arrival there, he drew upon himself the eyes of the
whole army, who fancied they saw Hamilcar his father revive in him. He
seemed to dart the same fire from his eyes; the same martial vigour
displayed itself in the air of his countenance, with the same features and
engaging carriage. But his personal qualities endeared him still more. He
possessed almost every talent that constitutes the great man. His patience
in labour was invincible, his temperance was surprising, his courage in
the greatest dangers intrepid, and his presence of mind in the heat of
battle admirable; and, a still more wonderful circumstance, his
disposition and cast of mind were so flexible, that nature had formed him
equally for commanding or obeying; so that it was doubtful whether he was
dearer to the soldiers or the generals. He served three campaigns under
Asdrubal.

(M119) Upon the dea