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to recall Hannibal. The description of Hannibal is slightly re-phrased as he is considered
the only general that could defend Carthage: Carthaginem ipsam qui tueatur neque
imperatorem alium quam Hannibalem neque exercitum alium quam Hannibalis
superesse (Livy, 30.9.3).
As noted above, Livy undermines the glory of Scipio‟s eventual victory by implying
that Hannibal‟s army had become weakened both physically and numerically especially
following Mago‟s defeat in 205. In addition, Livy voices through Hannibal the
perception of another factor. In a direct speech, Hannibal blames Carthaginian politics,
claiming that Hanno, not Scipio, was his more invidious enemy (Livy, 30.20.1-2; also
Diodorus Siculus, 25.19.1). Hannibal expresses his frustration through a dramatic final
moment when the Carthaginian envoys arrive; he knows why they have come and
gnashes his teeth, groans, and almost cries: frendens gemensque ac vix lacrimis
temperans dicitur legatorum verba audisse (Livy, 30.20.1). Leaving without a final
victory is considered particularly shameful and inglorious:
neque hac deformitate reditus mei tam P Scipio exsultabit atque efferet
sese quam Hanno qui domum nostram quando alia re non potuit ruina
Carthaginis oppressit.
Livy, 30.20.4
And over this inglorious return of mine it will not be Publius Scipio
who wildly exults, so much as Hanno who, unable to do so by any
other means, has ruined our family by the downfall of Carthage.
Moore, 1955, 441.
Livy compares Hannibal‟s gloomy departure to someone going into exile except that,
paradoxically, Hannibal was leaving enemy territory and going to his home country. He
stares back to Italy as his vessel sails to Africa, accusing gods, men and cursing himself
for not having marched on Rome after Cannae (Livy, 30.20.7-9).
Despite the last minute anger and tears, Hannibal‟s departure from Italy is a well-
organised, well-planned event with ships prepared well in advance: iam hoc ipsum
praesagiens animo praeparaverat ante naves (Livy, 30.20.5). There is time to dispose
of everything surplus to requirements, to exchange the strong men in the garrisons of
Italian towns for weaker men; the strongest will be required for the army in Africa.
In a final representation of alleged brutality and gross impiety while in Italy,
Hannibal is said to have killed all the Italians who could not be persuaded to travel to
Africa. The slaughter was said to be carried out in the precincts of a temple to Juno
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