30.20
It is
said that he gnashed his teeth, groaned, and almost shed tears when he heard
what the delegates had to say. After they had delivered their instructions, he
exclaimed, "The men who tried to drag me back by cutting off my supplies
of men and money are now recalling me not by crooked means but plainly
and openly. So you see, it is not the Roman people who have been so often
routed and cut to pieces that have vanquished Hannibal, but the Carthaginian
senate by their detraction and envy. It is not Scipio who will pride himself
and exult over the disgrace of my return so much as Hanno who has crushed
my house, since he could do it in no other way, beneath the ruins for
Carthage." He had divined what would happen, and had got his ships ready
in anticipation. The unserviceable portion of his troops he got rid of by
distributing them ostensibly as garrisons amongst the few towns which, more
out of fear than loyalty, still adhered to him. The main strength of his army
he transported to Africa. Many who were natives of Italy refused to follow
him, and withdrew into the temple of Juno Lacinia, a shrine which up to that
day had remained inviolate. There, actually within the sacred precinct, they
were foully murdered. Seldom, according to the accounts, has any one left
his native country to go into exile in such gloomy sorrow as Hannibal
manifested when quitting the country of his foes. It is stated that he often
looked back to the shores of Italy, accusing gods and men and even cursing
himself for not having led his soldiers reeking with blood from the victorious
field of Cannae straight to Rome. Scipio, he said, who whilst consul had
never seen a Carthaginian in Italy, had dared to go to Africa, whereas he
who had slain 100,000 men at Thrasymenus and at Cannae had wasted his
strength round Casilinum and Cumae and Nola. Amid these accusations and
regrets he was borne away from his long occupation of Italy.