with a wind in his rear, that, for a certain season, blows constantly one way, which raising great clouds of dust from the parched plains behind, he knew must greatly distress an approaching enemy. In this situation he waited the coming of the Romans with an army of forty thousand foot, and half that number of cavalry. 26. The consuls soon appeared to his wish, dividing their forces into two parts, and agreeing to take the command each day by turns. 27. On the first day of their arrival, Æmilius was entirely averse to engaging. The next day, however, it being Varro's turn to command, he without asking his colleague's concurrence, gave the signal for battle and passing a branch of the river Au'fidus, that lay between both armies, put his forces in array. 28. The battle began with the light-armed infantry; the horse engaged soon after; but the cavalry being unable to stand against those of Numidia, the legions came up to reinforce them. It was then that the conflict became general; the Roman soldiers endeavoured, in vain, to penetrate the centre, where the Gauls and Spaniards fought; which Han'nibal observing, he ordered part of those troops to give way, and to permit the Romans to embosom themselves within a chosen body of his Africans, whom he had placed on their wings, so as to surround them. Attacked thus on both flanks, the evolutions of the legions prevented by the stream in their rear, the Romans could make no effective resistance, but fell, says an old historian, "like ripe corn before the reaper." Varro made several desperate efforts to remedy his fatal error, but the Africans, who were fresh and vigorous, easily maintained their advantages over his wearied soldiers, and prevented them from restoring their disordered ranks. Æmilius made several brilliant charges at the head of the Roman cavalry, but found it impossible to extricate his colleague. 29. At last the rout became general in every part of the Roman army; the boastings of Varro were now no longer heard while Æmilius, who had been wounded by a slinger, suers. feebly led on his body of horse, and did all that could be done to make head against the enemy. 30. Unable to sit on horseback he was forced to dismount. It was in these deplorable circumstances, that one Len'tulus, a tribune of the army, flying from the enemy, who at some distance pursued him, met Emil'ius sitting upon a stone, covered with blood and wounds, and waiting for the coming up of the pur31. "Emilius," cried the generous tribune," you, at least, are guiltless of this day's slaughter; take my horse, and fly." "I thank thee, Len'tulus," cried the dying consul, “all is over, my part is chosen. Go, and tell the senate to fortify Rome against the approach of the conqueror. Tell Fabius, that Emil'ius, while living, ever remembered his advice; and now dying approves it." 32. While he was yet speaking, the enemy approached; and Len'tulus, at some distance saw the consul expire, feebly fighting in the midst of hundreds. 33. In this battle the Romans lost fifty thousand men, and so many knights that it is said Han'nibal sent three bushels of gold rings to Carthage, which those of this order wore on their fingers'. . 1 Hannibal has been blamed for not having marched to Rome immediately after this victory; but his army was by no means adequate to the siege of the city; and the allies of the Romans would have been able to curtail his quarters and intercept his convoys. He was, besides, badly provided with provisions and the munitions of war, both of which he could procure by invading Campania, the course which he actually pursued. The following plan will help to explain this great battle. 1. What measures were adopted by the Romans when they heard of Hannibal's approach? 2. What precautions did Hannibal take? 3. Where was the next battle fought? 4. What was the stratagem employed by Hannibal?' 5. What followed ? 6. Where was the next engagement? 7. Was this a judicious disposition of the Roman general? 8. What was the result? 9. What expedient did the senate adopt on this occasion? 10. Who was chosen to this office? 11. What method of fighting did he adopt? 12. What was the success of this plan? 13. Was his situation hopeless? 14. Describe his stratagem and its consequences. 15. Did it answer his purpose? 16. Was Fabius continued in office? 17, 18. Of what disobedience was Minucius guilty? Was he punished? 19. How was the army divided? 20, 21. What plan did Fabius pursue? How was its superiority proved? 22, 23, 24. Who succeeded Fabius? What was his character, and that 25. How were the Carthaginians posted at Cannæ ? 26, 27. How did the consuls behave? How did Varro act? 28. What were the circumstances of the engagement ? 29. How did the battle terminate ? 30. What was the fate of Æmilius? 31. What generous offer was made by Lentulus ? 1. WHEN the first consternation was abated after this dreadful blow, the senate came to a resolution to create a dictator, in order to give strength to their government. 2. A short time after Varro arrived, having left behind him the wretched remains of his army'. As he had been the principal cause of the late calamity, it was natural to suppose that the senate would severely reprimand the rashness of his conduct. But far otherwise! The Romans went out in multitudes to meet him; and the senate returned him thanks, that he had not despaired of the safety of Rome. 3. Fa'bius, who was considered as the shield, and Marcellus, as the sword of Rome, were appointed to 1 The terms of the surrender were, that each Roman should pay a sum equal to 91. 7s. 9d. for his ransom. (Liv. l. xxii. c. 51.) The senate, however, refused to ransom them, and they were compelled by Hannibal to fight as gladiators, for the diversion of his troops. (Liv. 1. xxiii. c. 58.) lead the armies; and though Hannibal once more offered them peace, they refused it, but upon condition that he should quit Italy—a measure similar to that they had formerly insisted upon from Pyrrhus. 4. Hanʼnibal finding the impossibility of marching directly to Rome, or willing to give his forces rest after so mighty a victory, led them to Cap'ua', where he resolved to winter. 5. This city had long been considered as the nurse of luxury, and the corrupter of all military virtue. C. Here a new scene of pleasure opened to his barbarian troops they at once gave themselves up to intoxication; and from being hardy veterans, became infirm rioters 2. 7. Hitherto we have found this great man successful; but now we are to reverse the picture, and survey him struggling with accumulated misfortunes, and, at last, sinking beneath them. 8. His first loss was at the siege of Nola3, where Marcellus, the prætor, made a successful sally. He some time after attempted to raise the siege of Cap'ua, attacked the Romans in their trenches, and was repulsed with considerable loss. He then made a feint to besiege Rome, but finding a superior army ready to receive him, was obliged to retire. 9. For many years he fought with various success: Marcellus, his opponent, sometimes gaining, and sometimes losing the advantage, without coming to any decisive engagement. 10. The senate of Carthage at length came to a resolution of sending his brother As'drubal to his assistance, with a body of forces drawn out of Spain. 11. Asdrubal's 1 Cap'ua was a very ancient city, and the capital of Campania. It rivalled Rome for opulence, and was usually enumerated with Rome and Carthage as the great cities. (Florus, l. i. c. 16.) 2 While the affairs of the Romans succeeded so ill in Italy, their troops, under the command of the two Scipios, obtained great advantages in Spain, thus making some amends for the disasters at home. (Liv. 1. xxiii. c. 26, 27.) 3 Nola, an ancient town of Campa'nia, remarkable for being the |