Hannibal's debut in Spain (224)

(1) A few senators, almost all of them more sensible, shared this opinion;

but, as too often happens, the more numerous party prevailed over the wisest.

Hannibal, as soon as he entered Spain, attracted all eyes to him. (2) "It's Amilcar in

his youth returned to us, cried the old soldiers. Same energy in the face,

same fire in his eyes:this is his air, these are his features." But soon the memory of his

father was the least of his titles to favor. (3) Never mind bent with more than

flexibility to the two most opposite qualities, subordination and command:also

would it be difficult to decide whether he was dearer to the general than to the army. (4) Dot

of officer that Hasdrubal preferred, if it was a blow of vigor and strength

boldness; there was no leader who knew how to inspire the soldier with more confidence, more audacity. (5)

Full of audacity to face peril, he was full of prudence in the midst of danger.

No fatigue exhausted his body, broke his soul. (6) It also supported the

cold and hot. His meals were bound and ruled by the needs of nature and

not sensuality. To watch or to sleep, he made no difference between day and night. He allowed the moments that business left him free to rest, and he did not induce sleep either by the softness of going to bed or by silence. He was often seen, covered with a soldier's coat, stretching out on the ground in the midst of sentries and guardhouses. His clothes in no way distinguished him from the others:what was noticed were his weapons and his horses. He was both the best horseman and the best infantryman. The first, he rushed into battle; the last, he left the fray.
Great vices equaled such brilliant virtues:excessive cruelty, more than Punic perfidy, nothing true, nothing sacred for him, no fear of the gods, no respect for oaths, no religion . With this mixture of qualities and vices, he served three years under the orders of Hasdrubal, neglecting nothing of what it was necessary to do or see to become a great captain.