CHAPTER LXVII
THE CAPTURE OF NEW CARTHAGE
From the time that Hannibal entered Italy, it seemed as
though the Romans needed all their strength to meet so
powerful a foe. They did, indeed, have as many as eight
legions on the battlefield of Cannæ. Yet, at the same time,
they had sent officers and soldiers to Spain, and were fighting
against the Carthaginians in that country, as well as in
Italy.
Publius Scipio had, you remember, been ordered to march to Spain in 218 B.C. to punish Hannibal for defying the demands of Rome. But as he found that Hannibal was crossing the Alps, he awaited him in the valley of the Po, sending his brother Gnæus to Spain in his stead.
In about twelve months Publius was able to join his brother, and for four years they fought together against the Carthaginians. Then in 213 B.C. the Romans found that the enemy was making a determined effort to push their possessions beyond the river Ebro.
Such presumption must be punished, and Publius with an army set out to repulse the enemy. But in the battle that followed he fell, mortally wounded. Gnæus also was slain about three weeks later.
The loss of the Scipios was a serious blow to Rome, for their influence in Spain had made the Roman name powerful. Nor was it easy to find an officer to send to Spain in the place of the brothers, for every soldier wished to stay in Italy to fight against Hannibal, the arch enemy.
