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Multa secum quonam inde ire pergeret volventi subiit animum impetus
caput ipsum belli Romam petendi, cuius rei semper cupitae
praetermissam occasionem post Cannensem pugnam et alii volgo
fremebant et ipse non dissimulabat: necopinato pavore ac tumultu non
esse desperandum aliquam partem urbis occupari posse;
Livy, 26.7.3-5
While carefully considering whither he should remove, the impulse
came to him to proceed to Rome, the very centre of the war. It was
something which he had always desired to do, but after the battle of
Cannae he had let the opportunity pass, as others commonly
complained, and as he himself frequently admitted. In unexpected
alarm and confusion it need not be beyond his hopes that some part of
the city could be seized.
Moore, 1970, 27.
In this creation of Hannibal‟s decision-making to march on Rome, it is not a considered
plan reached in consultation with advisors but an emotional reaction which is reinforced
by his expression of regret that he had not marched on Rome after Cannae.
Although the march on Rome is intended to be kept secret and a messenger sent to
inform the Capuans of Hannibal‟s plan (Livy, 26.7.1-10; cf. Hist. 9.5.6). The „secret‟
soon becomes known to the Romans because deserters from Hannibal‟s army inform
Fulvius Flaccus, the other pro-consul stationed at Capua with Appius Claudius. 201 Thus
Livy presents Hannibal losing a measure of control over his military secrets and perhaps
something of his charisma as some of his men desert. It is relevant to note here that
Polybius‟ extant text makes no mention of Fulvius Flaccus 202 whereas Livy assigns
Fulvius Flaccus a critical role bringing reinforcements from Capua to Rome. Fulvius
Flaccus learns of Hannibal‟s plan in sufficient time to send a message to the Senate:
Id priusquam fieret, ita futurum conpertum ex transfugis Fulvius
Flaccus senatui Romam cum scripsisset, varie animi hominum pro
cuiusque ingenio adfecti sunt.
Livy, 26.8.1
Before this happened Fulvius Flaccus had learned from deserters that
it was to be done, and had so written to the senate at Rome;
whereupon men‟s feelings were differently stirred according to their
several natures.
Moore, 1970, 29.
201
Wiseman, 2004, 170 reads Polybius as „what really happened‟ and Livy as „what the Romans believed
happened‟ in the defence of Rome.
202
Walbank, 1967, 119 „this does not mean that his source was necessarily unaware that Claudius‟
colleague was Q. Fulvius Flaccus.‟
74