g war, there was neither grumbling,
nor discontent, nor insubordination among the troops. They served
willingly and cheerfully. They had absolute confidence in their general,
and were willing to undertake the most tremendous labours and to engage
in the most arduous conflicts to please him, knowing that he, on his
part, was unwearied in promoting their comfort and well being at all
other times.

As the spring advanced the great magazines which Hannibal had brought
with him became nearly exhausted, and no provisions could be obtained
from the surrounding country, which had been completely ruined by the
long presence of the two armies. It became, therefore, necessary to move
from the position which he had occupied during the winter. The Romans
possessed the great advantage over him of having magazines in their rear
constantly replenished by their allies, and move where they might, they
were sure of obtaining subsistence without difficulty. Thus, upon
the march, they were unembarrassed by the necessity of taking a great
baggage train with them, and, when halted, their general could keep
his army together in readiness to strike a blow whenever an opportunity
offered; while Hannibal, on the other hand, was forced to scatter a
considerable portion of the army in search of provisions.

The annual elections at Rome had just taken place, and Terentius Varro
and Emilius Paulus had been chosen consuls. Emilius belonged to the
aristocratic party, and had given proof of military ability three
years before when he had commanded as consul in the Illyrian war. Varro
belonged to the popular party, and is described by the historians of
the period as a coarse and brutal demagogue, the son of a butcher, and
having himself been a butcher. But he was unquestionably an able man,
and possessed some great qualities. The praetor Marcellus, who had slain
a Gaulish king with his own hand in the last Gaulish war, was at Ostia
with a legion. He was destined to command the fleet and to guard the
southern coasts of Italy, while another praetor, Lucius Postumius, with
one legion, was in Cisalpine Gaul keeping down the tribes friendly to
Carthage.

But before the new consuls arrived to take the command of the army
Hannibal had moved from Geronium.

The great Roman magazine of Apulia was at Cannae, a town near the river
Aulidus. This important place was but fifty miles by the shortest route
across the plain from Geronium; but the Romans were unable t