nce at the
seat of war it had been led at Carthage by his son-in-law Hasdrubal,
whose fiery energy and stirring eloquence had rendered him a popular
idol in Carthage. But even the genius of Hamilcar and the eloquence of
Hasdrubal would not have sufficed to enable the Barcine party to make
head against the enormous power of the council and the judges, backed by
the wealth of Hanno and his associates, had it not been for the military
successes which flattered the patriotic feelings of the populace.
The loss of Sardinia, Corsica, and Sicily had been atoned for by the
conquest of the greater portion of Spain by Hamilcar, and that general
might eventually have carried out his plans for the purification of the
government of Carthage had he not fallen in a battle with the Iberians.
This loss was a terrible blow to the Barcine faction, but the deep
feeling of regret among the population at the death of their great
general enabled them to carry the election of Hasdrubal to be one of the
suffetes in his place, and to obtain for him the command of the army in
Spain.
There was the less difficulty in the latter appointment, since Hanno's
party were well content that the popular leader should be far removed
from the capital. Hasdrubal proved himself a worthy successor of his
father-in-law. He carried out the policy inaugurated by the latter,
won many brilliant victories over the Iberians, fortified and firmly
established Carthagena as a port and city which seemed destined to rival
the greatness of its mother city, and Carthage saw with delight a great
western settlement growing in power which promised to counterbalance the
influence of the ever spreading territory of her great rival in Italy.
After seeing his detachment safely lodged in the barracks Hamilcar and
his companions rode along the streets to the Barcine Syssite, or club,
one of the grandest buildings in Carthage. Throwing the reins of their
horses to some slaves who stood in readiness at the foot of the steps,
they entered the building. As they rode through the streets they had
noticed that the population appeared singularly quiet and dejected,
and the agitation which reigned in the club showed them that something
unusual had happened. Groups of men were standing talking excitedly
in the great hall. Others with dejected mien were pacing the marble
pavement. As Hamilcar entered, several persons hurried up to him.
"Welcome back again!" they exclaimed; "your presence i
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