Carthage was at that time divided between two factions, the one led by
the relatives and friends of the great Hamilcar Barca and known as the
Barcine party. The other was led by Hanno, surnamed the Rich. This man
had been the rival of Hamilcar, and the victories and successes of the
latter had been neutralized by the losses and defeats entailed upon
the republic by the incapacity of the former. Hanno, however, had the
support of the greater part of the senate, of the judges, and of the
lower class, which he attached to himself by a lavish distribution of
his vast wealth, or by the common tie of wholesale corruption.
The Barcine party were very inferior in numbers, but they comprised
among them the energy, the military genius, and the patriotism of the
community. They advocated sweeping reforms, the purification of the
public service, the suppression of the corruption which was rampant in
every department, the fair administration of justice, the suppression of
the tyranny of the committee, the vigourous prosecution of the struggle
with Rome. They would have attached to Carthage the but half subdued
nations round her who now groaned under her yoke, ground down to the
dust by the enormous tribute necessitated by the extravagance of the
administration of the state, the corruption and wholesale peculation of
its officials.
Hamilcar Barca had been the founder of the party; in his absence at the
seat of war it had been led at Carthage by his son-in-law Hasdrubal,
whose fiery energy and stirring eloquence had rendered him a popular
idol in Carthage. But even the genius of Hamilcar and the eloquence of
Hasdrubal would not have sufficed to enable the Barcine party to make
head against the enormous power of the council and the judges, backed by
the wealth of Hanno and his associates, had it not been for the military
successes which flattered the patriotic feelings of the populace.
The loss of Sardinia, Corsica, and Sicily had been atoned for by the
conquest of the greater portion of Spain by Hamilcar, and that general
might eventually have carried out his plans for the purification of the
government of Carthage had he not fallen in a battle with the Iberians.
This loss was a terrible blow to the Barcine faction, but the deep
feeling of regret among the population at the death of their great
general enabled them to carry the election of Hasdrubal to be one of the
suffetes in his place, and to obtain for him the command of the army in
Spain.
There was the less difficulty in the latter appointment, since Hanno's
party were well content that the popular leader should be far removed
from the capital. Hasdrubal proved himself a worthy successor of his
father-in-law. He carried out the policy inaugurated by the latter,
won many brilliant victories over the Iberians, fortified and firmly
established Carthagena as a port and city which seemed destined to rival
the greatness of its mother city, and Carthage saw with delight a great
western settlement growing in power which promised to counterbalance the
influence of the ever spreading territory of her great rival in Italy.
After seeing his detachment safely lodged in the barracks Hamilcar and
his companions rode along the streets to the Barcine Syssite, or club,
one of the grandest buildings in Carthage. Throwing the reins of their
horses to some slaves who stood in readiness at the foot of the steps,
they entered the building. As they rode through the streets they had
noticed that the population appeared singularly quiet and dejected,
and the agitation which reigned in the club showed them that something
unusual had happened. Groups of men were standing talking excitedly
in the great hall. Others with dejected mien were pacing the marble
pavement. As Hamilcar entered, several persons hurried up to him.
“Welcome back again!” they exclaimed; “your presence is most opportune
at this sad moment.”
“What has happened?” Hamilcar asked; “I have but this moment arrived,
and rode straight here to hear the news of what has taken place in my
absence.”
“What! have you not heard?” they exclaimed; “for the last four days
nothing else has been talked of, nothing else thought of--Hasdrubal has
been assassinated!”
Hamilcar recoiled a step as if struck.
“Ye gods!” he exclaimed, “can this be so? Hasdrubal the handsome, as
he was well called, the true patriot, the great general, the eloquent
orator, the soul of generosity and patriotism, our leader and hope,
dead! Surely it cannot be.”
“It is too true, Hamilcar. Hasdrubal is dead--slain by the knife of an
Iberian, who, it seems, has for months been in his service, awaiting
the chance for revenge for some injuries which his family or people have
suffered from our arms.
“It is a terrible blow. This morning a swift sailing ship has arrived
with the news that the army of Spain have with one voice acclaimed the
young Hannibal as their general, and that they demand the ratification
of their choice by the senate and people. Need I tell you how important
it is that this ratification should be gained? Hanno and his satellites
are furious, they are scattering money broadcast, and moving heaven and
earth to prevent the choice falling upon Hannibal, and to secure the
appointment for Hanno himself or one of his clique. They say that to
appoint a youth like this to such a position would be a thing unheard
of, that it would bring countless dangers upon the head of the
republic. We know, of course, that what they fear is not the youth and
inexperience, but the talent and genius of Hannibal.
“Young though he is, his wonderful abilities are recognized by us all.
His father, Hamilcar, had the very highest hopes of him, Hasdrubal has
written again and again saying that in his young kinsman he recognized
his superior, and that in loftiness of aim, in unselfish patriotism, in
clearness of judgment, in the marvellous ascendency he has gained over
the troops, in his talent in administration, and in the greatness of his
military conceptions, he saw in him a genius of the highest order. If
it be in man to overthrow the rising greatness of Rome, to reform our
disordered administration, to raise Carthage again to the climax of her
glory and power, that man is Hannibal.
“Thus, then, on him our hopes rest. If we can secure for him the command
of the army in Spain, he may do all and more than all that Hamilcar
and Hasdrubal have done for us. If we fail, we are lost; Hanno will
be supreme, the official party will triumph, man by man we shall be
denounced and, destroyed by the judges, and, worse than all, our hopes
of saving Carthage from the corruption and tyranny which have so long
been pressing her into the dust are at an end. It is a good omen of
success that you have returned from your expedition at such a critical
moment. All has gone well with you, I hope. You know the fate that
awaits an unsuccessful general here.”
“Ay, I know,” Hamilcar said bitterly; “to be judged by a secret tribunal
of civilians, ignorant of even the rudimentary laws of war, and bent
not upon arriving at the truth, but of gratifying their patrons and
accomplices; the end, disgrace and execution.
“No, my success has been complete, although not brilliant. I have
obtained the complete submission of the Atarantes, and have brought with
me ten of their principal chiefs as hostages; but my success narrowly
escaped being not only a failure but a disaster. I had in vain striven
to come to blows with them, when suddenly they fell upon me at night,
and in the desperate combat which followed, well nigh half my force
fell; but in the end we inflicted a terrible chastisement upon them and
completely humbled their pride.”
“So long as you succeeded in humbling them and bringing home hostages
for their good behaviour, all is well; the lives of a few score of
soldiers, more or less, matters little to Carthage. We have but to send
out an order to the tribes and we can replace them a hundred fold in a
week; 'tis only a failure which would be fatal. Carthage has suffered
such terrible disasters at the hands of her tributaries that she
trembles at the slightest rising, for its success might be the signal
for another general insurrection. If you have humbled the Atarantes, all
is well.
“I know the council have been anxiously expecting news of your
expedition. Our opinion here has been from the first that, from the
small force they placed at your command, they purposely sent you to
disaster, risking the chance of extended trouble in order to obtain
a ground of complaint by which they could inflame the minds of the
populace against our party. But now, I recommend you to take some
refreshment at once after your journey. The inner council of the club
will meet in an hour, and their deliberations are likely to be long as
well as important, for the whole future of our party, and of Carthage
itself, depends upon the issue.”
“Malchus,” Hamilcar said, “do you mount your horse and ride out at
once and tell your mother that all has gone well with us, but that I
am detained here on important business, and may not return until
nightfall.”
“May I come back here, father, after I see my mother? I would fain be of
some use, if I may. I am known to many of the sailors down at the
port; I might go about among them trying to stir them up in favour of
Hannibal.”
“You may come back if you like, Malchus; your sailors may aid us with
their voices, or, should it come to anything like a popular disturbance,
by their arms. But, as you know, in the voting the common people
count for nothing, it is the citizens only who elect, the traders,
shopkeepers, and employers of labour. Common people count for no more
than the slaves, save when it comes to a popular tumult, and they
frighten the shopkeeping class into voting in accordance with their
views. However, we will leave no stone unturned that may conduce to
our success. Do not hurry away from home, my boy, for your mother would
think it unkind after three months' absence. Our council is likely to
last for some hours; when it is at an end I will look for you here and
tell you what has been determined upon.”
Malchus mounted his horse and rode out through the narrow streets of the
lower city, through the gateway leading into the suburb, then he loosed
the rein and the horse started at a gallop along the broad road, lined
with stately mansions, and in a quarter of an hour stopped in front of
the villa of Hamilcar.
Throwing his bridle to a slave he ran up the broad steps of the portico
and entered the hall. His mother, a stately woman, clad in a long
flowing garment of rich material embroidered in gold, arms and neck
bare, her hair bound up in a knot at the back of her head, which was
encircled by a golden fillet, with pendants of the same metal encrusted
with gems falling on her forehead, rose eagerly to meet him, and his two
sisters, girls older than himself, clad in white robes, confined at the
waist with golden belts, leaped to their feet with a cry of gladness.
“Welcome back, my own son,” his mother said; “all is well, I hope, with
your father; It is so, I am sure, for I should read evil news in your
face.”
“He is well, mother, well and victorious, though we had a rare fight
for it, I can tell you. But he is kept at the Barcine Syssite on matters
connected with this terrible business of the death of Hasdrubal. He bade
me give you his love, and say he would be back here as soon as he could
get away.”
“It is terrible news indeed, Malchus. The loss is a grievous blow to
Carthage, but especially to us who are his near kinsfolk; but for the
moment let us set it aside and talk of your doings. How the sun has
bronzed your face, child! You seem to have grown taller and stouter
since you have been away.
“Yes,” one of the sisters laughed, “the child is growing up, mother; you
will have to choose another name for him.”
“I think it is about time,” Malchus said, joining in the laugh,
“considering that I have killed a lion and have taken part in a
desperate hand-to-hand fight with the wild Atarantes. I think even my
mother must own that I am attaining the dignity of youth.”
“I wonder your father let you take part in such strife,” the mother said
anxiously; “he promised me that he would, as far as possible, keep you
out of danger.”
“Why, mother,” Malchus said indignantly, “you don't suppose that my
father was going to coddle me as he might do one of the girls here. You
know he has promised that I shall soon enter the Carthaginian guard, and
fight in the next campaign. I think it has been very hard on me not to
have had a chance of distinguishing myself as my cousin Hannibal did
when he was no older than I am.”
“Poor boy,” his sister laughed, “he has indeed been unfortunate. Who
can say but that if he had only had opportunities he would have been
a general by this time, and that Rome would have been trembling at the
clash of his armour.”
Malchus joined heartily in the laugh about himself.
“I shall never grow to be a general,” he said, “unless you get me some
food; it is past midday, and I have not broken my fast this morning. I
warn you that I shall not tell you a word of our adventures until I have
eaten, therefore the sooner you order a meal to be served the better.”
The meal was speedily served, and then for an hour Malchus sat with his
mother and sisters, giving them a history of the expedition. There was
a little playful grumbling on the part of his sisters when he told
them that he was going to return to the Syssite to hear what had been
determined by the conclave.
“Surely you can wait until our father returns here, Malchus,” Thyra, the
elder, said.
“Yes; but I may be useful,” Malchus replied. “There will be lots to be
done, and we shall all do our utmost.”
“Listen to him, mother,” Anna, the younger sister, said, clapping her
hands; “this comes of slaying lions and combating with the Atarantes; do
not let us hinder him; beg the slaves to bring round a horse instantly.
Carthage totters, let Malchus fly to its support. What part are you
thinking of taking, my brother, do you mean to harangue the people, or
to urge the galley slaves to revolt, or to lead the troops against the
council?”
The two girls burst into a peal of merry laughter, in which Malchus,
although colouring a little, joined heartily.
“You are too bad, Anna; what I want is, of course, to hear what has been
done, and to join in the excitement, and really I am not such a boy as
you girls think me, just because you happen to be two or three years
older than I am. You persist in regarding me as a child; father doesn't
do so, and I can tell you I may be more good than you think.”
“Well, go along, Malchus, do not let us keep you, and don't get into
mischief and remember, my boy,” his mother added, “that Carthage is a
place where it is well that no one should make more enemies than he can
help. A secret foe in the council or among the judges is enough to ruin
the strongest. You know how many have been crucified or pressed to death
without a shadow of pretext, save that they had foes. I would not see
you other than your father's son; you will belong, of course, to the
Barcine party, but there is no occasion to draw enmity and hate upon
yourself before you are in a position to do real service to the cause.
And now ride off with you; I know all our words are falling on deaf
ears, and that willful lads will go their own way.”
A few minutes later and Malchus was on his way back to the club. On his
arrival there he found that the sitting of the inner council was not
yet finished. The building was thronged with the adherents of the party
waiting to ascertain what course was determined upon. He presently
came across Adherbal and Giscon. The former, as usual, was gay, light
hearted, and disposed to view matters in a humorous light; Giscon was
stern and moody.
“So, here you are again, Malchus,” Adherbal said. “I thought you would
soon be back. I am glad you have come, for Giscon here grows monotonous
as a companion. Nature in making him forgot to give him that spice of
humour which is to existence what seasoning is to meat. I am ready to
fight if it comes to fighting, to orate if talking is necessary, and
to do anything else which may be within the limits of my powers, but I
can't for the life of me take matters as if the existence of the state
depended on me alone. I have already heard that all is well with you at
home. I shall ride out there and see your mother when this business is
over. What they can find to talk about so long I can't make out.
“The question is a simple one, surely. Will it be better for Carthage at
large, and our party in particular, for Hannibal to stay at the head
of the army in Spain, or to come home and bring the influence of his
popularity and reputation to bear upon the populace? There is the
question put in a nutshell, and if they can't decide upon it let them
toss up. There is virtue, I am ready to maintain, in an appeal to dame
Fortune.
“Look round now, Malchus, is it not amusing to study men's characters.
Look at little Philene going about among the groups, standing on tiptoe
to whisper into the ear first of one and then of another. He prides
himself on his knowledge of affairs, and in his heart believes that
he is shamefully wronged inasmuch as he is not already on the secret
committee.
“Look at Bomilca leaning against that pillar and lazily pulling his
mustache, an easygoing giant, who looks upon the whole thing as a
nuisance, but who, if he received orders from the conclave, would put
himself at the head of the Libyans, and would march to storm Hanno's
house, and to slaughter his Numidian guard without a question.
“Look at Magon's face of importance as he walks about without speaking
to anyone. He is trying to convey to all the impression that he knows
perfectly well what is going on inside, and could if he chose tell
you what the decision will be. There is Carthalon, who is thinking at
present, I warrant, more of the match which he has made of his Arab
steed against that of his comrade Phano, than of the matter in hand.
But see, there is a stir, the curtains are drawing aside at last, the
meeting is over.”
As he spoke the heavy curtains which shut off an inner room from the
hall were drawn aside, and the council of the Syssite came out. Each
was speedily surrounded by a group of the members of his own family, or
those who specially looked up to him as a leader. Malchus and the two
young officers were among those who gathered round Hamilcar.
“It has been decided,” the general said, “that Hannibal shall be
retained in his command. Therefore, now let all set to work, each in his
own sphere. The populace must be stirred up. We have a small majority
in the council, but the middle class, the men who will vote, are with
Hanno. Some have been bought with his gold, some of the weak fools dream
that Carthage can be great simply as a trading power without army
or navy, and think only of the present advantage they would gain by
remission of taxation. It is these we have to fear, and we must operate
upon them by means of the populace.
“If the people gather in the streets and shout for Hannibal, these
cowards will hesitate. They are accessible only in their moneybags, and
rather than risk a riot they would vote for the destruction of Moloch's
temple. Giscon and Adherbal, do you go to the barracks, get as many
of your comrades together as are of our way of thinking, talk to the
soldiers of the glories of Hamilcar Barca, of the rich booty they won
under him, of the glory of their arms when he led them, tell them that
in Hannibal they have their old commander revived, and that Hanno and
his companions seek only to have him removed, because they fear that the
luster of his deeds will overshadow them.
“Urge that he is the elect of the army of Spain, that the voice of the
soldiers has acclaimed him, and that the troops here should join their
voices to those of their comrades in Spain. They too may ere long have
to take share in the war, and would it not be far better for them to be
led by a soldier like Hannibal than by Hanno, whose incapacity has been
proved a score of times, and who is solely chosen because he is rich,
and because he has pandered to the fat traders and lazy shopkeepers?
“Do you, Stryphex, go to the weavers' quarter; you have influence there.
Work upon the men, point out to them how, since Hamilcar and Hasdrubal
have conquered Spain, and the gold and silver from the mines have poured
into Carthage, their trade has flourished. Before that gold was scarce
known in the city, none could purchase their choice productions, their
wages would scarce keep the wolf from the door. Show them that under
Hanno disaster will be sure to befall our arms, that the Iberians will
reconquer their soil, that the mines will be lost, and we shall have to
return to the leather money of twenty years back.”
So one by one Hamilcar despatched the groups round him on various
missions, until Malchus alone remained.
“You, Malchus, can, as you suggested, go down to the port; ask the
sailors and fishermen what will become of their trade were the Roman
galleys cruising in our bay. Point out that our conquests in Spain have
already caused the greatest alarm in Rome, and that under Hannibal our
arms will so flourish that Rome will be glad to come to terms with us,
and to leave us free to trade with the world.
“Point out how great is the trade and commerce which Carthagena has
already produced. Ask them if they are willing that all this shall be
hazarded, in order that Hanno may gratify his personal ambition, and
his creatures may wring the last penny from the over taxed people of
Carthage. Don't try too much, my boy. Get together a knot of men whom
you know; prime them with argument, and send them among their fellows.
Tell them to work day and night, and that you will see that their time
is well paid. Find out if there are any men who have special influence
with their fellows, and secure them on our side. Promise them what they
will; the Syssite will spend money like water to carry its object. Be
discreet, Malchus; when you have lit the fire, and see that it is well
on its way, withdraw quietly.”
Malchus hurried off, and in half an hour was down by the port. Through
the densely packed district which lay behind the lofty warehouses
crammed with goods brought by sea from all parts of the world, he made
his way until he reached the abode of a fisherman, in whose boat he
often put to sea.
The old man, with three or four grownup sons, was reclining on a pile of
rushes.
“Welcome back, my lord Malchus,” he said; “glad am I to see you safely
returned. We have often talked of you, me and my sons, and wondered when
you would again go out for a night's fishing with us. You have come back
at the right time. The tunny are just entering the bay, and in another
week we shall have rare sport.”
“I shall be glad, indeed, of another sail with you,” Malchus said; “but
at present I have other matters in hand. Hanno and his friends have
determined to oppose the appointment of Hannibal to the army in Spain.”
The fisherman gave a grunt, which signified that the matter was one of
which he knew nothing, and which affected him not in the slightest.
“Don't you see the importance of this?” Malchus said. “If Hannibal
doesn't get the command our troops will be beaten, and we shall lose all
our trade with Spain.” The fisherman still appeared apathetic.
“My sons have all taken to fishing,” he said indifferently, “and it
matters nothing to them whether we lose the trade of Spain or not.”
“But it would make a difference,” Malchus said, “if no more gold and
silver came from Spain, because then, you know, people wouldn't be
able to pay a good price for fish, and there would be bad times for you
fishermen. But that is not the worst of it. The Romans are so alarmed by
our progress in Spain that they are glad to keep friends with us, but if
we were driven out from there they would soon be at war again. You and
your sons would be pressed for the ships of war, and like enough you
might see the Roman fleets hovering on our coasts and picking up our
fishing boats.”
“By Astarte,” the fisherman exclaimed, “but that would be serious,
indeed; and you say all this will happen unless Hannibal remains as
general in Spain?”
“That is so,” Malchus nodded.
“Then I tell you what, my boys,” the fisherman said, rising and rubbing
his hands, “we must put our oars into this business. You hear what my
lord Malchus tells us. Get up, there is work to be done. Now, sir, what
is the best way to stop this affair you tell us of? If it's got to be
done we will do it, and I think I can answer for three or four thousand
fishing hands here who ain't going to stand by any more than I am and
see the bread taken out of their mouths. They know old Calcon, and will
listen to what he says. I will set about it at once.”
“That is just what I want,” Malchus said. “I want you and your sons to
go about among the fishermen and tell them what is proposed to be done,
and how ruinous it will be for them. You know how fond of fishermen I
am, and how sorry I should be to see them injured. You stir them up for
the next three or four days, and get them to boiling point. I will let
you know when the time comes. There are other trades who will be injured
by this business, and when the time comes you fishermen with your oars
in your hands must join the others and go through the streets shouting
'Hannibal for general! Down with Hanno and the tax gatherers!'”
“Down with the tax gatherers is a good cry,” the old fisherman said.
“They take one fish of every four I bring in, and always choose the
finest. Don't you be afraid, sir; we will be there, oars and all, when
you give the word.”
“And now I want you to tell me the names of a few men who have influence
among the sailors of the mercantile ships, and among those who load and
discharge the cargoes; their interest is threatened as well as yours. I
am commissioned to pay handsomely all who do their best for the cause,
and I promise you that you and your sons shall earn as much in four
days' work as in a month's toiling on the sea. The Barcine Club is known
to be the true friend of Carthage, the opponent of those who grind down
the people, and it will spare no money to see that this matter is well
carried out.”
The fisherman at once went round with Malchus to the abodes of several
men regarded as authorities by the sailors and stevedores. With these,
partly by argument, but much more by the promises of handsome pay for
their exertions, Malchus established an understanding, and paved the way
for a popular agitation among the working classes of the waterside in
favour of Hannibal.