Hannibal by Ross Leckie

Author:Ross Leckie [Ross Leckie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781847676801
Publisher: Canongate Books
Published: 2009-04-02T04:00:00+00:00

VI

MARCH

In battle when you kill a man, easily, it is no more than that which comes of practice. That we were able to leave Cartakhena within a month, this was too. For my whole life, I had been preparing, spirit, body, mind.

The Romans would expect me to winter in Cartakhena. I would disappoint them, and Bomilcar and those at Carthage who would expect the same. The Romans doubtless would retaliate for Saguntum – in the spring. An initial naval attack on Cartakhena, I imagined. They were welcome to explore Hasdrubal’s city. There would be nothing there. As for my camp, it would be gone.

I wrote to the Elders, explaining a little of my intentions. I quoted Regulus’ saying to them: “Summa sedes non capit duos.” I thought it would be good for their Latin. “I intend,” I said, “to give that power to Carthage.” And I meant to show them my full intentions by my actions.

I had other reasons to begin the march. I wanted to rehearse marching in the cold and wet, examining as we moved north the lessons that would teach us. I had reservations about some of my troops. The full army now was over 90,000, with 12,000 horse. It had grown too fast since the two campaigns to the north. It was well paid and disciplined, but untested in anything more than a skirmish. If there were to be desertions, I wanted them before I reached Italy. There were too many company commanders, let alone men, I knew little and trusted less.

I felt of my army as I had when Silenus many years before had introduced me to the Ethics of Aristotle. There was something there beyond my grasp, fluttering just beyond my reach. I remember discussing with Silenus Aristotle’s views on the question: what is the Good for man? and then reading the sentence: “We call an object pursued for its own sake more final than one pursued because of something else … and happiness more than anything else is thought to be just such an end … something perfect and self sufficient.” I remember feeling of it as of many passages that there was some great truth there, but one I could not comprehend. Philosophy I have left to others. My army I could and would understand.

Besides, I wanted to leave a force behind me in Spain and send another to Carthage. Spain the Romans would be certain to invade, and Africa, by way of Sicily, no doubt. Which troops should I leave, and under whose command? These things would become clear in time. That is what I gave them.

The month we had in Cartakhena I devoted largely to the issue of supplies. My intended route was clear. Only by crossing the Alps could I surprise the Romans. It had to be possible. There would be nothing to eat. We would carry what we would need.

Salted fish, black bread and fruit cakes, these were what Similce advised and day upon day I had my

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