21.12
The
attack on Saguntum was not slackened; Maharbal, the son of Himilco, whom
Hannibal had left in command, carried on operations with such energy that
the general's absence was not felt by either friends or foes. He fought several
successful actions, and with the aid of three battering rams brought down a
considerable portion of the wall, and on Hannibal's return showed him the
place all strewn with the newly-fallen wall. The army was at once led to an
assault on the citadel; a desperate fight began, with heavy losses on both
sides, and a part of the citadel was captured. Attempts were now made in the
direction of peace, though with but faint hopes of success. Two men
undertook the task, Alco, a Saguntine, and Alorcus, a Spaniard. Alco,
thinking that his prayers might have some effect, crossed over without the
knowledge of the Saguntines to Hannibal at night. When he found that he
gained nothing by his tears, and that the conditions offered were such as a
victor exasperated by resistance would insist upon, harsh and severe, he laid
aside the character of a pleader and remained with the enemy as a deserter,
alleging that any one who advocated peace on such terms would be put to
death. The conditions were that restitution should be made to the Turdetani,
all the gold and silver should be delivered up, and the inhabitants should
depart with one garment each and take up their abode wherever the
Carthaginians should order them. As Alco insisted that the Saguntines would
not accept peace on these terms, Alorcus, convinced, as he said, that when
everything else has gone courage also goes, undertook to mediate a peace on
those conditions. At that time he was one of Hannibal's soldiers, but he was
recognised as a guest friend by the city of Saguntum. He started on his
mission, gave up his weapon openly to the guard, crossed the lines, and was
at his request conducted to the praetor of Saguntum. A crowd, drawn from
all classes of society, soon gathered, and after a way had been cleared
through the press, Alorcus was admitted to an audience of the senate. He
addressed them in the following terms: