21.19
This
straightforward question and threat of war seemed to be more consonant
with the dignity of Rome than a wordy argument about treaties; it seemed so
previous to the destruction of Saguntum, and still more so afterwards. For
had it been a matter for argument, what ground was there for comparing
Hasdrubal's treaty with the earlier one of Lutatius? In the latter it was
expressly stated that it would only be of force if the people approved it,
whereas in Hasdrubal's treaty there was no such saving clause. Besides, his
treaty had been silently observed for many years during his lifetime, and was
so generally approved that, even after its author's death, none of its articles
were altered. But even if they took their stand upon the earlier treaty -that
of Lutatius -the Saguntines were sufficiently safeguarded by the allies of
both parties being exempted from hostile treatment, for nothing was said
about "the allies for the time being" or anything to exclude "any who should
be hereafter taken into alliance." And since it was open to both parties to
form fresh alliances, who would think it a fair arrangement that none should
be received into alliance whatever their merits, or that when they had been
received they should not be loyally protected, on the understanding that the
allies of the Carthaginians should not be induced to revolt, or if they deserted
their allies on their own accord were not to be received into alliance by the
others?
The Roman envoys in accordance with their instructions went on to
Spain for the purpose of visiting the different tribes and drawing them into
alliance with Rome, or at least detaching them from the Carthaginians. The
first they came to were the Borgusii, who were tired of Punic domination
and gave them a favourable reception, and their success here excited a desire
for change amongst many of the tribes beyond the Ebro. They came next to
the Volciani, and the response they met with became widely known
throughout Spain and determined the rest of the tribes against an alliance
with Rome. This answer was given by the senior member of their national
council in the following terms: "Are you not ashamed, Romans, to ask us to
form friendship with you in preference to the Carthaginians, seeing how
those who have done so have suffered more through you, their allies, cruelly
deserting them than through any injury inflicted on them by the
Carthaginians? I advise you to look for allies where the fall of Saguntum has
never been heard of; the nations of Spain see in the ruins of Saguntum a sad
and emphatic warning against putting any trust in alliances with Rome."
They were then peremptorily ordered to quit the territory of the Volciani,
and from that time none of the councils throughout Spain gave them a more
favourable reply. After this fruitless mission in Spain they crossed over into
Gaul.