The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1811-07-17
Nj ,CELLANtOCS oELLCiiONo.
HAN NIBAi..

TIE famous HANNInAL, who is considered
one of the greatest Generals 1t antiquity, not
more than 26 years Of age when he commenced his
celebrated expedition into Hat. He departed from
Carthage and in the short space of five months and
a half reached the plans of Piedmont, after having
traversed, in defiance of the obstacles of and
the efforts of man, the Ebro, the Py'enees, Rhonc
and he .Ribs. Ii would not be candid to Judge OF
the labours of this march from the condition of Spain
and Ial IN modern times. These countries pre-
have t0lerablc roads and inhabited by civil
lzed people but at the period that Hannibal invaded
IGiy the rsutcs were less petctrabc and the nhab-
tants for great part, were barbarians. His III rch
cost him more than half the number of his SOL
diers for he left Spain at the head of 10000 men,
and when he arrived in k0h he could only count
$4,000. With this small number of troops h, found
himself at an ,mm distance from his country
environcd on every side by powerful aad angry ene-
mics, without the possibility OF retreat, and without
apparent resources Such was the critical situation
danger, appeared to glory Indeed II required spirit
of romaptick valonr, and firm composurc that no
accident could rutie, to extricate him from his diff
hcuiues. Ills first exploit was the taking ot Ttpip !;
shortly after which he defeated, the ItsSin0, SCI
pio. one OF the Roman Consus, and on the IHebes
ne to,ay overthrow his colleague, the presumptous
ScmbroniHs. Pursuing his with ardour, he
travcrscd the .ippeines, penetrated into Tuscany
through dreadful marshes, and for four days pro-
Cccdcd up to his middle in water From these ia
tigucs and the insaubrity OF putrid eNhs.atons,
HANNIBAL lost eye. At last he overlook the rash
flamnins the boarders of the lake YhruSia!ne,
whcr, he overcamc and slew him. AT this moment
Porae had been lost but for the prudence of Es6us.
Hannibal, unable 10 bring FG5,ns To action employed
himself and forces in the central parts OF Ea1 sub
DUNG and ravagng different portions of it, and
watching favourable opportunity Tor some new blow
against his chief enemy. This opportunity pre-
sened itsel.. The wise Fd6iRs, whose diatory mode
OF warfare had rendered him unpopular with his fell
1oxyc cit W. nd he le nj
Varo appointed in his stead. Toro lost the battle
OF Canne, where, it is said, there pershcd 10000
.Romans. Hannibdi sent 80 the Senate % Carthage,
part of the fruits OF this victory, hushel OF gold
rings, taken from thc' Romdn Nobility ESQ great
the s!aughter1 who were left dead on the field Of
battle.
Here it has become a rcproach to Hranibai, that
nc did not march directly TO R0gSe. But il, in
fact, errour, or could he under the circumstan-
ces, act otherwise than lac did Opinions are div.
dcd the subject. he il it may, after the victo
ryo Cdnae he overran the country in various direc
tous by marches and countcrmarches, subduing
many cities, deprived tn, Romans of their allies, and
took up his winter quarters at CdpHa.
The pleasing but pernicious indulgencies which his
troops there experienced enfeebled their discipline
1t is certain that from this period the great successes
and the good fortune OF Haa;,60f ceased. He COM
menced, indeed, the scige of Roaic but he was
compelled to raise it, finding himself perpotually
harrassed by the enemy, who hao retakcn CGbHa
and Tdreatan, Meanwhile hostile faction at Car
Mage deprived him of all succors from thence. His
brother .isdrv5ai, in conducting reinorccmcnis 10
him from SPAN across the .lpS, defeated and
killed. The young Scip'o, whose brilliant exploit
had rendered him prodigy, having subjected
.Ssan. transported himself and army to the shores
OF Carthage multitude of circumstances combi-
eed to defeat the plans Of Kanatul, apd 10 free
Rome and Ray from his presence. This terrible
enemy OF the Romans was finally constrained to re-
turn and deic d his country. IL is said that he
she'd te leaving kal, where, for sixteen years,
in delightful country, he had exhibited victoi-
GUS career, and was accustomed to regard his
quests as his patrmony.
Hannibal and Scipio encountered one another at
Zana, the Cdrtbagenian TERRITORY and these two
celebrated heroes decided in single day the desti-
nies Of the two most powerful nations OF the world
--Hanniboi was vanqaished, although according to
the testimony of his antagonist, he surpassed his
former actions in this unfortunate battle. Scipo OBJ
tanned complete victory and from that day Rome
knew no rival in the universe. Hnaiiai eventually
became solitary wanderer in foreign countries, his
name and his genius atcrrour TO the Rsasas-,iii,
wcaried with msfortunes he put period To his en-
istcIce by dose of poison which he carried about
him, concealed in ring, for the purpose.