eagerly
to the offers of Hannibal's agents, who distributed large sums of money
among them, and promised them, in return for their assistance, not only
their freedom from their conqueror, but a full share in the spoils of
Rome. The chiefs replied that they would render any assistance to the
Carthaginians as soon as they passed the Alps, and that they would then
join them with all their forces. The reports as to the passes of the
Alps were less satisfactory. Those who had examined them found that the
difficulties they offered to the passage of an army were enormous, and
that the tribes who inhabited the lower passes, having suffered in
no way yet at the hands of Rome, would probably resist any army
endeavouring to cross.

By far the easiest route would be to follow the seashore, but this was
barred against the Carthaginians by the fact that the Massilians (the
people of Marseilles) were the close allies of Rome. They had admitted
Roman colonists among them, and carried on an extensive trade with the
capital. Their town was strong, and their ports would be open to the
Roman fleets. The tribes in their neighourhood were all closely allied
with them.

Hannibal saw at once that he could not advance by the route by the sea
without first reducing Marseilles. This would be an even more difficult
operation than the siege of Saguntum, as Rome would be able to send any
number of men by sea to the aid of the besieged, and the great struggle
would be fought out in Southern Gaul instead of, as he wished, in Italy.
Thus he decided to march by a route which would take him far north of
Marseilles, even although it would necessitate a passage through the
terrible passes of the Alps.

During the winter Hannibal laboured without intermission in preparing
for his expedition. He was ever among his soldiers, and personally saw
to everything which could conduce to their comfort and well being. He
took a lively interest in every minute detail which affected them; saw
that their clothing was abundant and of good quality, inspected their
rations, and saw that these were well cooked.

It was this personal attention to the wants of his soldiers which, as
much as his genius as a general, his personal valour, and his brilliant
qualities, endeared him to his troops. They saw how anxious he was for
their welfare; they felt that he regarded every man in his army as a
friend and comrade, and in return they were ready to respond to every
appeal, to m