21.11
When
Hanno sat down no one deemed it necessary to make any reply, so
completely was the senate, as a body, on the side of Hannibal. They accused
Hanno of speaking in a tone of more uncompromising hostility than Flaccus
Valerius, the Roman envoy, had assumed. The reply which it was decided to
make to the Roman demands was that the war was started by the Saguntines
not by Hannibal, and that the Roman people would commit an act of
injustice if they took the part of the Saguntines against their ancient allies,
the Carthaginians. Whilst the Romans were wasting time in despatching
commissioners, things were quiet round Saguntum. Hannibal's men were
worn out with the fighting and the labours of the siege, and after placing
detachments on guard over the vineae and other military engines, he gave his
army a few days' rest. He employed this interval in stimulating the courage of
his men by exasperating them against the enemy, and firing them by the
prospect of rewards. After he had given out in the presence of his assembled
troops that the plunder of the city would go to them, they were all in such a
state of excitement that had the signal been given then and there it seemed
impossible for anything to withstand them. As for the Saguntines, though
they had a respite from fighting for some days, neither meeting attacks nor
making any, they worked at their defences so continuously by day and night
that they completed a fresh wall at the place where the fall of the former wall
had laid the town open.
The assault was recommenced with greater vigour than ever. In
every direction confused shouts and clamour resounded, so that it was
difficult to ascertain where to render assistance most promptly or where it
was most needed. Hannibal was present in person to encourage his men,
who were bringing up a tower on rollers which overtopped all the
fortifications of the city. Catapults and ballistae had been put in position on
each of the stories, and after it had been brought up to the walls it swept
them clear of the defenders. Seizing his opportunity, Hannibal told off about
500 African troops to undermine the wall with pick-axes, an easy task, as the
stones were not fixed with cement but with layers of mud between the
courses in the ancient fashion of construction. More of it consequently fell
than had been dug away, and through the gaping ruin the columns of armed
warriors marched into the city. They seized some high ground, and after
massing their catapults and ballistae there they enclosed it with a wall so as
to have a fortified position actually within the city which could dominate it
like a citadel. The Saguntines on their side carried an inside wall round the
portion of the city not yet captured. Both sides kept up their fortifying and
fighting with the utmost energy, but by having to defend the interior portion
of the city the Saguntines were continually reducing its dimensions. In
addition to this there was a growing scarcity of everything as the siege was
prolonged, and the anticipations of outside help were becoming fainter; the
Romans, their one hope, were so far away, whilst all immediately round
them was in the hands of the enemy. For a few days their drooping spirits
were revived by the sudden departure of Hannibal on an expedition against
the Oretani and the Carpetani. The rigorous way in which troops were being
levied in these two tribes had created great excitement, and they had kept the
officers who were superintending the levy practically prisoners. A general
revolt was feared, but the unexpected swiftness of Hannibal's movements
took them by surprise and they abandoned their hostile attitude.