The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1892-04-01
HISTORICAL SKETCHES.

The three Punic wars covered over
hundred years. Wonderful what
bitter animosity existed between the
two great rival cities. Rome and
Carthage, before Carthage was blotted
out of existence. The career of
Hannibal is the subject of our theme.
1t took 7 months for Alexander to
subdue Tyre. Carthage was origin
ally founded by colony from Tyre,
and like its mother, grew to be a
great commercial city and maritime
power. Rome had been built by some
wanderers from Troy. While Car,ha
genian galleys covered the seas. Rome
had not ship, and this was at the
commencement Of the first Punic war.
A stray galley drifted from Carthage
and stranded upon the coast of Italy.
This was Rome's first model and ex-
perience in ship building. The first
war, was all about Messina a town Of
Sicily. For five hundred years these
twin cities grew and fourished with
out dissension, but political necessity,
as in many instances, brought on the
first punic war. This is what we
should do, surround our countra's
altar and swear eternal hostility to
everything inimical to our Flag and
our Insii; utions as Hamilcarled his
sonHannibal to one of the altars and
there swore eternal hostility to Rome,
Hannibal boy 9 years old. Hanni-
bal was about 7I yrs of age when he
first set out against the Romans indir-
ectly. The great city of Saguntum
was taken and this opened the way to
the nd Punic war. The wealth Of
Saguntum enriched Hannibal and his
army for further conquest. Hannibal
crosses into Italy, surmounts the Alps,
and commences to redden the sod of
Italy with Roman and Carthagenian
blood. Hannibal had served years
before he commanded while Roman
consuls were appointed by the Roman
senate who were hardly Injured to war
fare. Hannibal was not only fighter
but perhaps, the most cunning strate-
gist the world ever saw He was con
stantly surprising the Romans with au.
dacious tricks. He was a man of
decision--,he Pyrenees the Rhone,
the Alps formed no obstruction to his
passage. He fought the Romans for
10 yrs, principally in their own terri
tory. The Romans learned to fear
Hannibal by this time after fighting
them in Italy.
We pass over many battles, and
mention Cannae, the last great battle
fought by Hannibal in Italy. The
gates of Rome were seriously threaten
ed, and Rome was in terrible agitation.
The forces of Rome were increased
under two consuls or generals but
Cannae wen. against them and Hanni-
bal sent bushels of gold rings to Garth
age as trophies of his victory.
Young Scipio now made his appear
ance. There were three Scipios,
Roman generals : this was the second,
and saw service. Hannibal took up
winter quarters in Capula, and on the
following Spring emerged with an
effemlnated army towards the gates of
Rome. Capul had supplied his army
with all the luxuries of life and per
consequence, they were incapable Of
fight or endurance. His idea was
however of retaining possession CT
Italy and making Calua his capital.
Mago was sent to get reinforcements
from Carthage with the gold rings
Hannibal had captured at battle Can
nae. The Carthagenian Senator who
fought Hannibal from the beginning.
Hanno posed the sending ofreinforce
ments, for if all Italy was conquered,
Rome taken and Capua Hannibars
capital where was there need OF rem
forcement'? He sends bushels of
gold rings and yet wants money and
supplies? Hanno was ahead in arg
ument, and there was nothing substan-
tial in Hannibal except his necessities.
Hannibal after time finds himself
encamped outside of Rome. His
Capua the Romans had. Rome sold
the ground upon which Hannibal en-
camped at the regular prices and
Hannibal in mockery sold a street, or
two, of Rome. His brother came on
after awhile. Hannibal and Nero and
Livius were the Roman consuls that
occupied Northern and Southern Italy.
A battle was fought between Nero and
Hasdrubal. Hasdrubal's head was
thrown into the camp of Hannibal.
Scipio overcame one Carthagcnian
r.ne al and anntEer till he reached