was thanked because he had not despaired of the commonwealth; at
Carthage, people were almost angry with Hannibal, for being victorious.
But Hanno could never forgive him the advantages he had gained in this
war, because he had undertaken it in opposition to his counsel. Thus being
more jealous for the honour of his own opinions than for the good of his
country, and a greater enemy to the Carthaginian general than to the
Romans, he did all that lay in his power to prevent future success, and to
render of no avail that which had been already gained.

_Hannibal takes up his Winter Quarters in Capua._(_777_)--The battle of
Cannae subjected the most powerful nations of Italy to Hannibal, drew over
to his interest Graecia Magna,(778) with the city of Tarentum; and thus
wrested from the Romans their most ancient allies, among whom the Capuans
held the first rank. This city, by the fertility of its soil, its
advantageous situation, and the blessings of a long peace, had risen to
great wealth and power. Luxury, and a fondness for pleasure, (the usual
attendants on wealth,) had corrupted the minds of all its citizens, who,
from their natural inclination, were but too much inclined to
voluptuousness and excess.

Hannibal(779) made choice of this city for his winter quarters. Here it
was that those soldiers, who had sustained the most grievous toils, and
braved the most formidable dangers, were overthrown by abundance and a
profusion of luxuries, into which they plunged with the greater eagerness,
as they, till then, had been strangers to them. Their courage was so
greatly enervated in this bewitching retirement, that all their after
efforts were owing rather to the fame and splendour of their former
victories than to their present strength. When Hannibal marched his forces
out of the city, one would have taken them for other men, and the reverse
of those who had so lately marched into it. Accustomed, during the winter
season, to commodious lodgings, to ease and plenty, they were no longer
able to bear hunger, thirst, long marches, watchings, and the other toils
of war; not to mention that all obedience, all discipline, were entirely
laid aside.

I only transcribe on this occasion from Livy. If we are to adopt his
opinion on this subject, Hannibal's stay at Capua was a capital blemish in
his conduct; and he pretends, that this general was guilty of an
infinitely greater error, than when he neglected to march directly to Rome
aft