vigor, but with no material advantage on either side. At length, however, as the bravery of the Romans was fatigued, and the treasures of Carthage no less exhausted, the Carthaginians thought it a favorable time to propose conditions of peace. Together with their own ambassadors, they also sent Regulus home upon parole of honor, exacting from him a promise, that he would return, provided the Romans did not accept of their conditions. The conduct of Regulus, on this occasion, has been justly celebrated through all succeeding ages. Although he knew, that the severest torments awaited his return to Carthage, yet, as the guardian of the honor of his country, he suffered no private consideration to influence his conduct. He strenuously opposed a peace, but upon terms as humbling to Carthage, as they were advantageous and honorable to Rome.

torments.

The great and noble spirit he manifested revived the courage of his countrymen, and determined them to prosecute the war. But, as for himself, he returned to Carthage, (and was put to death with the most dreadful and lingering This he foresaw; and laid down his life voluntarily for the good of his country. Patriots, like Regulus, are as scarce, as those are plenty, who, in the midst of the most pompous professions, would sell or sacrifice their country, to advance their own private interest.

After the death of Regulus, the affairs of Carthage experienced an evident and rapid decline and the Roman arms prevailed in all directions, till the Carthaginians found it necessary to make peace on the most dishonorable terms. These were, that they should evacuate Sicily and the neighboring islands; give up all their prisoners and deserters without ransom; keep all their ships of war at a distance from the Roman dominions; never make war with the Roman allies; pay down a thousand talents of silver, and two thousand and two hundred more, in ten years. To these conditions Carthage acceded; and thus ended the first Punic war, B. C. 240.

The Romans themselves were willing at this time to take breath; for though, in this war, they had generally the advantage, yet it was an advantage dearly bought; and they often perceived the balance to fluctuate; sometimes to turn against them. Indeed, their scene of operations was wide; their exertions extreme and long continued, in combating a great and powerful people, who, though less warlike, certainly possessed superior resources.

At this period, while Rome enjoyed profound peace, and the temple of Janus was shut, several events took place strongly connected with the chain of causes, which was to elevate her to the summit of empire and glory. A passion for elegant literature, for the first time, began now to appear; particularly, the Grecian drama began to take place of the low, wretched and smutty satire, as it was called, which hitherto had only been known at Rome; and, from this period, the strong genius of Rome labored perpetually upon Grecian models. They never could equal their masters in dramatic composition; but, in many other species of writing, they not only equalled, but excelled; and even merited the honor of inventing several of their own.

Between the first and second Punic wars, the temple of Janus did not continue long shut. The fierce and barbarous nations of Gaul, judging it now a convenient time, when the Roman armies were disbanded, and the spirit of war seemed quiet, once more to make an attempt upon Italy, they crossed the Alps, and poured down in an immense swarm into the fruitful country of Etruria. But they learned their error when too late. They were surrounded and cut in pieces almost to a man. Viridomarus, their king, was slain by the hand of the celebrated (Marcellus who was called the sword of Rome. They, as might be expected, begged and obtained a peace.

The Carthaginians, who had been compelled by necessity to accept the most inglorious terms of peace, were now measurably recovered from the calamities of an unfortunate war, and determined once more on a trial of strength with the great and formidable power of Rome. They were, indeed, roused to this measure by one of the most extraordinary men, who has ever appeared in the world. Hannibal on whom the command of the second Punic war devolved, had been from his childhood a sworn enemy to the Romans. It is said, that when he was but nine years old, his father, Hamilcar, who was himself a great and skilful general, caused him to take a solemn oath, never to be in friendship with the Romans.)

The Carthaginians began the war by besieging Saguntum, a city in Spain, in alliance with the Romans An embassy was immediately despatched to Carthage, complaining of this infraction of an existing treaty. This remonstrance failing of success, both sides once more prepared for war, in a manner suited to the greatness of the contending parties.

Hannibal, who was then in Spain, sent a part of his forces into Africa, left another part under the command of Asdrubal, his brother, to carry on the war in Spain, and at the head of about (50,000) select troops, and a formidable body of cavalry, directed his march toward Italy. Out of Spain, he passed over the Pyrenean mountains into Gaul, where he encountered and dispersed the barbarous and hostile tribes, who opposed him. He crossed the Alps with his army, an enterprise, considering that it was performed (in the dead of winter, truly stupendous and astonishing. Since the heroic achievements of Hercules,* no army had ever crossed those lofty ridges, where vast declivities, frightful steeps and dreary wastes, received in succession the adventurous traveller; where nature's roughest aspect derived additional horrors from the ravages of winter; and the frequent and desperate attacks of fierce savages, issuing from the caverns and grottos of these inhospitable rocks, increased the dangers of every step.

This arduous enterprise was accomplished in about two weeks, but with the loss of nearly half the army. But nothing could repress the ardor of Hannibal. He was now on the plains of Italy; he must conquer or die.

The Romans, who carefully watched Hannibal's motions, received intelligence by the swiftest couriers, that he was crossing the Alps at the head of a powerful army. So bold an enterprise, likely to be attended with important consequences, excited considerable sensations at Rome. But what could the Romans fear? The bravest nation in the world, skilled in the art of war by the experience of ages, they had triumphed over every enemy. Even Pyrrhus, the greatest general of his time, could not stand before them. And in a former war, they had, at the gates of Carthage, prescribed to her conditions of peace. But now they were far more powerful, by increase of numbers, wealth and experience.

But we cannot particularize the events of this war. Hannibal first defeated Scipio, who met him near the river Po, with a numerous army, soon after he entered Italy. A few days after this, he encountered another army, commanded by Sempronius, on the banks of the Trebia. This army he routed with great slaughter. The third army, commanded by Flaminius, he cut off near the lake of Thrasy

*It is by no means to be supposed that Hercules ever crossed the Alps.-Ed.