CHAPTER X: BESET

During the winter Hannibal made every preparation to ensure the tranquillity of Spain while he was absent. In order to lessen the number of possible enemies there he raised a body of twelve hundred horse and fourteen thousand infantry from among the most turbulent tribes, and sent them across to Africa to serve as garrisons in Carthage and other points, while an equal number of African troops were brought over to garrison Spain, of which Hasdrubal, Hannibal's brother, was to have the government during his absence.

Hanno, an able general, was to command the force which was to be left in southern Gaul to keep open the communications between the Pyrenees and the Alps, while the youngest brother, Mago, a youth of about the same age as Malchus, was to accompany him to Italy. Hannibal's wife and a child which had been born in the preceding spring, were sent by ship to Carthage.

In the early spring the march commenced, the army following the coast line until it reached the mouth of the Ebro. The mountainous and broken country lying between this river and the Pyrenees, and now known as Catalonia, was inhabited by fierce tribes unconquered as yet by Roman or Carthaginian. Its conquest presented enormous difficulties. There was no coherence between its people; but each valley and mountain was a stronghold to be defended desperately until the last. The inhabitants, accustomed to the mountains, were hardy, active, and, vigourous, ready to oppose a desperate resistance so long as resistance was possible, and then to flee across their hills at a speed which defied the fleetest of their pursuers.

Now, provide a numbered list of answers to these questions:

1. What did Hannibal prepare for?
2. When?
3. Where were infantry sent?
4. Why?
5. How many were there?
6. Were there any other military?
7. What type?
8. How many?
9. Who was in control of the government?
10. Who was Hanno?
11. Where was he commanding?
12. What was his goal?
13. Between who?
14. Where were Hannibal's family?
15. When did the troops start marching again?
16. Where did they go?
17. To where?
18. Was this a peaceful land?
19. Why not?
20. Were there other inhabitants?

Numbered answers:
1. tranquillity of Spain
2. winter
3. Africa
4. serve as garrisons
5. fourteen thousand infantry
6. yes
7. horse
8. twelve hundred
9. Hasdrubal
10. general
11. southern Gaul
12. keep open the communications
13. the Pyrenees and the Alps
14. sent by ship to Carthage
15. early spring
16. followed the coast line
17. mouth of the Ebro
18. No
19. they were unconquered
20. yes