SLC Thesis Template - ResearchSpace@Auckland - The University ...

Cornelius Nepos similarly depicts Flamininus and Prusias as dishonourable in their
behaviour. The king asks that the custom of hospitality be respected but does nothing to
prevent the Romans searching for Hannibal (Nepos, Hann. 12.4). 434
There are various methods of committing suicide. Hannibal‟s decision to use poison
was considered discreditable for a soldier:
quid referam Cannas admotaque moenibus arma
Varronemque fuga magnum Fabiumque morando
postque tuos, Trasimenne, lacus, cum vincere posset,
accepisse iugum victae Carthaginis arces,
seque ratum Hannibalem nostris cecidisse catenis
exitium generis furtiva morte luisse?
M. Manilius, Astronomica, 4.37-42
What need have I to tell of Cannae and enemy arms brought to the city
walls, of the heroism of Varro‟s flight and Fabius‟ delays? What need
to tell how after the battle at your lake, Trasimene, when victory lay in
her grasp, the towers of humbled Carthage bowed to the yoke and
Hannibal, judging he had fallen into our clutches, expiated in an
inglorious death the destruction of his race?
Goold, 1977, 225.
On the other hand, whatever method is used, from Hannibal‟s point of view, suicide is
better than being captured and paraded at Rome. This interpretation underlies the
reference in Cornelius Nepos‟ biography, that it was time for Hannibal to stop thinking
about preserving his life:
Puer cum celeriter quid esset renuntiasset omnisque exitus occupatos
ostendisset, sensit id non fortuito factum, sed se peti neque sibi diutius
vitam esse retinendam. Quam ne alieno arbitrio dimitteret, memor
pristinarum virtutum venenum quod semper secum habere consuerat
sumpsit.
Cornelius Nepos, Hann. 12.5
The slave having quickly reported the facts and told him that all the
exits were guarded, Hannibal knew that it was no accident; that it was
he whom they were after and he must no longer think of preserving his
life. But not wishing to lose it at another‟s will, and remembering his
past deeds of valour, he took the poison which he always carried about
his person.
Rolfe, 1984, 281.
434 Briscoe, 1973, 23; 236 considers the episode highly discreditable to Flamininus for forcing Prusias to
surrender Hannibal.
208