republic would no doubt have been sealed. But he hesitated, and this gave time to the Romans to concentrate their forces, and they in their turn became victorious, by carrying the war into Africa.
SCIPIO AFRICANUS.
Scipio Africanus, an Ethiopian, the Roman general, attacked Hannibal's forces, who had come out against Rome, and gave him battle, about 146 years B. C.; and finally prevailed by carrying the war into Africa. The last punic war terminated with the overthrow of Carthage.
Hanniial to Scipio Africanus at their interview preceding
the battle of Zama.
Since fate has so ordained it, that I, who began the war, and who have been so often on the point of ending it by a complete conquest, should now come of my own motion to ask a peace; I am glad that it is of you,
Scipio, I have the fortune to ask it. Nor will this be among the least of your glories, that Hannibal, victorious over so many Roman generals, submitted at last to you.
I could wish, that our fathers and we had confined our ambition within the limits which nature seems to have prescribed to it; the shores of Africa, and the shores of Italy. The gods did not give us that mind. On both sides we have been so eager after foreign possessions, as to put our own to the hazard of war. Rome and Carthage have had, each in her turn, the enemy at her gates. But since errors past may be more easily blamed than corrected, let it now be the work of both you and me to put an end, if possible, to the obstinate contention. For my own part, my years, and the experience I have had of the instability of fortune, incline me to leave nothing to her determination which reason can decide. But much I fear, Scipio, that your youth, your want of the like experience, your uninterrupted success, may render you averse from the thoughts of peace. He whom fortune has never failed, rarely reflects upon her inconstancy. Yet, without recurring to former examples, my own may perhaps suffice to teach you moderation. I am that same Hannibal, who,
