letter to the carthaginian senate

Speech to the Carthaginian Senate

Now as you all know, I come to you with a heavy heart. Our great country is coming from a massive defeat at the hands of the Romans and I ask for your consideration once more. In our last confrontation in Sicily with Rome, our navy was severely damaged during our assault and we were forced to surrender. Our great country was once the sole owner of Sardinia and the world’s largest naval fleet. We have been greatly embarrassed by this loss. We are now forced to pay tribute to Rome, which I will not let stand any longer. Our fleet had given us the power over the Mediterranean and all of the trade routes. This all belongs to Rome now. They have secured all of Italy including Sicily, Sardinia, and Corsica. No one can pass through the Mediterranean now without dealing with Rome. As I have just spoken with Hannibal, he assures me that another conflict with Rome will end in their defeat and Carthage standing on top, victorious. We have already discussed strategy and there is virtually no way we can lose. We will strike where they are vulnerable. Their arrogance will be their downfall. Rome was determined to extend their reach as far north as the Alps and they have instigated conflict with the Gauls over this region. They feel that securing this area will create an impassible barrier to their north with their armies and navy securing the southern regions. They would never expect an assault from the north; especially one from us. Hannibal has been in contact with the Gauls and has their support. Our two regions are now allies. We have already proposed plans for an invasion with full support by the Gauls and the Gallic tribes. Unfortunately there have been issues with Seguntum. Our army has been forced to wipe them out as they have just stood as a hindrance to our cause. There will now be nothing standing in our way. The money we have attained from their army will now fully fund our march on Rome. Hannibal’s plans consist of