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Frontinus‟ description of Hannibal‟s modest eating habits are in keeping with Livy‟s
introductory portrait of Hannibal at the opening of the third decad. Livy wrote that
Hannibal ate meat and drank only according to his bodily needs: cibi potionisque
desiderio naturali non voluptate modus finitus (Livy, 21.4.6).
In the ancient world, plentiful food is an indicator of wealth and may, depending on
the context, imply gluttony. Celebratory feasts, for example, customarily provide more
food than is normally consumed and are therefore adaptable as symbols of gluttony,
wastefulness and extravagance. It is in this guise that both Livy and Silius Italicus depict
Hannibal attending a celebratory feast in his honour on his first day in Capua, but, as
will be shown below, there is little in common between the feast described in the Punica
and the one described by Livy.
On Hannibal‟s first day, after sightseeing, Livy locates him as guest of honour at a
feast in the opulent house of two brothers, the Ninnii Celeres. It is also, on Hannibal‟s
order, an exclusive affair. The Capuan side of the party comprising only the brother
hosts, Pacuvius Calavius with his son, and a „distinguished soldier,‟ Vibellius Taurea
(Livy, 23.8.1-5). 343
Livy notes that the feasting began during the day and that, as such, the meal was not
in accord with either Carthaginian custom or with military discipline:
epulari coeperunt de die et convivium non ex more Punico aut militari
disciplina esse sed ut in civitate atque etiam domo diti ac luxuriosa
omnibus voluptatium inlecebris instructum.
Livy, 23.8.6
They began feasting by daylight and the banquet was not according to
Carthaginian custom or military discipline, but provided with all that
tempts indulgence, as was to be expected in a city, and a house, of
wealth and luxury.
Adapted from Moore, 1951, 25.
Thus the guests rise at sunset.
343 Pacuvius Calavius had sought Hannibal‟s pardon for his son (who supported the anti-Hannibal party)
which led to both being invited to the feast; the son‟s presence has to be explained given his wish to
attempt to assassinate Hannibal. In addition, Taurea might be distinguished by Capuan standards for his
virtus but Livy shows later that he is no match in single combat against the Roman, Claudius Asellus.
Livy compares inferior Capuan virtus against Roman virtus through two displays of single combat
between Campanians and Romans: Vibellius Taurea versus Claudius Asellus (Livy, 23.46.12-47.8;
24.8.3) and Badius versus Crispinus (Livy, 25.18.5-15). Each time the Romans win. Moore, 1989, 13:
„Although Livy generally portrays the Romans as superior in virtus to other peoples, he uses virtus of
Hannibal nine times, yet of Scipio, eight times.‟
145