History of Rome (Ab Urbe Condita)

...more through the hospitality of petty kings and by reconciling new nations through friendship than by war or arms. Yet, peace was no safer for him; a certain barbarian, openly because of his anger that his master had been killed by Hasdrubal, slaughtered him. Although he was seized by those standing around, he showed no different expression than if he had escaped. Even when he was being torn apart by torture, his countenance was such that, with joy overcoming his pain, he even appeared to be smiling. With this Hasdrubal, because he had shown remarkable skill in inciting nations and joining them to his own command, the Roman people had renewed a treaty, so that the Ebro River should be the boundary of both empires, and the freedom of the Saguntines, situated between the territories of the two peoples, should be preserved.

III.

Upon the death of Hasdrubal, there was no doubt that the military preference—by which the young Hannibal had been immediately carried to the headquarters and hailed as commander with the great shouting and assent of all—would be followed by the favor of the common people. Hasdrubal had summoned him to himself by letter when he was barely of age. The matter had even been debated in the Senate, with the Barcines striving for Hannibal to become accustomed to military service and to succeed to his father’s position. Hanno, a leader of the opposing faction, said, "Hasdrubal seems to demand what is fair, but I nevertheless do not think what he asks should be granted." When he had turned everyone’s attention to himself with the wonderment of such an ambivalent opinion, he said, "Hasdrubal believes that the flower of youth, which he himself provided for the enjoyment of Hannibal's father, should justly be claimed back from the son. However, it is by no means fitting for us to accustom our youth to the caprice of commanders as a military apprenticeship. Are we afraid of this, that the son of Hamilcar will see the excessive power and the likeness of his father's kingdom too late, and that we might be too slow to serve the son of the king whose son-in-law our armies were left to as a heritage? I propose that this young man be kept at home, taught to live under laws and magistrates on equal footing with the rest, lest this small fire ever stir up a huge conflagration."

IV.

A few, and generally all the best men, agreed with Hanno, but, as usually happens, the majority defeated the better side. Hannibal was sent to Spain; from his very first arrival, he turned the entire army toward himself. The old soldiers believed that Hamilcar had been returned to them as a young man; they saw the same vigor in his countenance, the same force in his eyes, and the same lines of his face. Soon he ensured that his father was the least part of the reason for conciliating favor toward him. Never was the same nature more adaptable to the most diverse things, both obeying and commanding. Thus, one could not easily distinguish whether he was more dear to the commander or to the army. Neither would Hasdrubal prefer to appoint anyone else whenever something had to be done bravely and strenuously, nor did the soldiers have more confidence or daring under any other leader. He had the greatest audacity in undertaking dangers and the greatest prudence in the midst of the dangers themselves. By no labor could his body be fatigued or his mind overcome. His endurance of heat and cold was the same. His limit for food and drink was determined by natural desire, not by preference. His times for waking and sleeping were not distinguished by day or night. What remained after business was finished was given to rest, and that rest was not sought by soft bedding or silence. Many often saw him covered in a military cloak, lying on the ground among the sentries and military guards.