22.13
From
the Hirpini Hannibal went across into Samnium; he ravaged the territory of
Beneventum and captured the city of Telesia. He did his best to exasperate
the Roman commander, hoping that he would be so incensed by the insults
and sufferings inflicted on his allies that he would be able to draw him into
an engagement on level ground. Amongst the thousands of allies of Italian
nationality who had been taken prisoners by Hannibal at Trasumennus and
dismissed to their homes were three Campanian knights, who had been
allured by bribes and promises to win over the affections of their
countrymen. They sent a message to Hannibal to the effect that if he would
bring his army up to Campania there would be a good chance of his
obtaining possession of Capua. Hannibal was undecided whether to trust
them or not, for the enterprise was greater than the authority of those who
advised it; however, they at last persuaded him to leave Samnium for
Campania. He warned them that they must make their repeated promises
good by their acts, and after bidding them return to him with more of their
countrymen, including some of their chief men, he dismissed them. Some
who were familiar with the country told him that if he marched into the
neighbourhood of Casinum and occupied the pass, he would prevent the
Romans from rendering assistance to their allies. He accordingly ordered a
guide to conduct him there. But the difficulty which the Carthaginians found
in pronouncing Latin names led to the guide understanding Casilinum instead
of Casinum. Quitting his intended route, he came down through the districts
of Allifae, Callifae, and Cales on to the plains of Stella. When he looked
round and saw the country shut in by mountains and rivers he called the
guide and asked him where on earth he was. When he was told that he
would that day have his quarters at Casilinum, he saw the mistake and knew
that Casinum was far away in quite another country. The guide was
scourged and crucified in order to strike terror into the others. After
entrenching his camp he sent Maharbal with his cavalry to harry the
Falernian land. The work of destruction extended to the Baths of Sinuessa;
the Numidians inflicted enormous losses, but the panic and terror which they
created spread even further. And yet, though everything was wrapped in the
flames of war, the allies did not allow their terrors to warp them from their
loyalty, simply because they were under a just and equable rule, and rendered
a willing obedience to their superiors -the only true bond of allegiance.
