The great Carthaginian, even after Zama, had not despaired of himself or
of his country. He set vigorously to work at internal reforms in
Carthage with a view to renewing the contest with Rome; but, being
thwarted by jealous and unpatriotic rivals, who also intrigued for his
surrender to the Romans, he fled to the court of Antiochus the Great, of
Syria, in 194 B. C. In rejecting her greatest man, Carthage had lost her
last chance of regaining any real power. Hannibal was driven from his
shelter with Antiochus by the Roman demand for his surrender, and took
refuge with Prusias, king of Bithynia, for some years; but Roman dread
of his abilities pursued him, and hopeless of escape, he poisoned
himself about 183 B. C., leaving Rome free at last to pursue her
victorious career.