Act 3 Scene 1

A village in Hispania, near Saguntum. Enter three villagers.

1st villager: Yonder I see many noxious fumes, which blacken the sky above; this black smoke carries the scent of war.

2nd villager: Brother, thou art right, for these tried nostrils of mine speaks that this familiar smell foretells of more devastation to follow, mefears that tranquil village life may again be left in turbulence and turmoil.

3rd villager: Why so? Why do ye assume that war will ravage our lands; when, that city is taken; and all these lands that fall lie within that city’s administration, if that city be razed only then we need to fear, else all our anxieties shallst be fallow.

2nd villager: Armies canst not be trusted home, fullwell they may seem harmless, but ay, by getting a slightest hint they may fool the likes of us. Our ripened grains, which for long have fed us well, may now fall in their hands, who knows, if that will satiate their voracious appetite!

1st villager: A cause for concern that certainly is. Still simple villagers may be spared if we are careful and cautious. Win we their leaders to our sides then some leniency may be received, this shallst be our only hope, but ay, diversion of food remains a problem. Lord, is it meet that simple villagers like us should yearn and think hard about matters of diplomacy?

3rd villager: We the tillers o’th’land, sons of the soil, needst not strain our smooth and naïve brains to discuss over the matters of the state. Prudent obedience we must give to who ever remains the rulers of that war ravaged city yonder.

2nd villager: Then hence ho, as soon as the war tires itself out, we will keep an eye on the activities of the troops that occupy the city, then when the time is ripe to act , act we shall and ay, that too decisively, for with the generals deals we must strike, ay be ready if from next season they demand from us a hike.

1st villager: Ay, brother and hope that the plan succeeds.

3rd villager: [Aside] Ay, thy plans are laudable, but my years of sweat and labour have taught me not to think one battle ends as it ends, for the battle is only a precursor to a war, with far reaching consequences. One war fuels another and that another till both sides are done and dusted, till both have no more to give or get from meaningless and dire conflict. Places of previous battles are in turn revisited by the losers and yet more deaths are caused due to vengeance. Wretched kerns like us with simple souls are left to bear the brutal brunt. Yet to prevent meaningless torture at this very moment, prepare we must for peaceful surrender.

[To the other villagers] Ahem, well my aged years makes me relive the mystical moments of my youth. The sun is at its zenith, so hie home to attend to my cattle I must. Goodbye and good luck to thee, my brethren.

1st villager: Goodbye and adieu to all. Now to our daily tasks we must put heed to.

[Exeunt

Act 2 Scene 7

Saguntum, the battle field. Enter Hannibal, Hasdrubal, Mago, Carthaginian captains and troops

Senior Captain: Our scouts report of huge defences along the erect and robust city walls.

Hannibal: These Saguntines are determined for a long siege. But we are determined more to break and wear them down.

Hasdrubal: Saguntines shallst feel the cost of withholding the Roman cause. We shall, with our forces storm their city and meet force with force and then brutal arm’d, force them onto surrender.

Mago: Our battalions we must spread out; to strike both left and right; front and rear. Rest we shallst give them not.

Hannibal: Worry not dear Mago, wear them down we will; and give no respite to the hapless Saguntines. Rome, as arrogant as it is, didst not furbish arms nor men to its new ally. Overconfidence lulls them to a false sense of security, which we must break. To sustain the Saguntines cause, ay, they have failed. So do my spies report. Grossly do they underestimate the powers of our troops. They show no aggressive intent in protecting their newly formed Protectorate. Thus we will now to the world and to Rome reveal; what hideous powers we do conceal. Soldiers, march we fearlessly on to the lion’s den, wherein we shall slaughter the foes like a falcon would a wren.

Hasdrubal: Vigilance is the need o’th’hour; soon on enemy soil we will set foot, and valour arm’d, sever of their heads.

Mago: And thence countrymen and thence, like brave martyrs we call upon thee to avenge our fallen braves; and answer back Rome in its same coin to end their fiendish ways.

Hannibal: So now men, with firm and unbending resolve, let us and our siege battery strike this city; and dig deep for long haul. Hence ho and we march, Forward!

Soldiers and others: We will follow you and die for you. All Hail!! Noble Hannibal, all Hail!! He shallst lead us to the glory of freedom and nectar of victory!! All Hail!

[Exeunt

Act 2 Scene 6

Hannibal’s headquarters, Hispania Enter Hannibal

Hannibal: Spring, summer, autumn, winter; ay, these are seasons, which, provide different moods upon the minds of simple men. My mind, they affect not. Seasons pass by, in their steady annual march; whilst I, melancholically brood over dried and dusty thoughts. Rain, which does quench the summer traveller’s thirst, the healer of heated earth, the harbinger of blossom; even on arid lands, the provider of hope; that providence is at hand; cannot remove the perennial drought that does enflame my aggrieved heart. Sleep the curer of many ills and infirmities, comes not to me. Only blooded dreams and aghast silhouettes appear in my sleep, appalling me from within. Woe is the accursed time, for this sickly hour, that mars many meticulous generals, is forever permanent on Hispania, whilst the sun of imperial glory and gay abandon shines, brighter than ever on the Roman state. Thou Lord! Doth thee want us to be bereft of victory? My mind concludes that every thought and action put forth to oust Rome has come to naught, disasters have stuck to near and dear, high and low, and kith and kin, and yet rome have prospered, gaining from the constant eastern glow. The last to fall to treason’s fitful axe was none other than my well beloved brother.Noble and fair thou were’t fair brother; and so I heartily fare thee well; may I be thy able pupil and serve Carthage till I fell.

Alarum outside

Hark! What noise rings out? The soldiers, yesterday did with joyous greeting and childish admiration, all hailed me as my noble father’s embodiment; then later did proclaim me as the supreme commander Carthage in Hispania and Iberia. Now I wait, with restless temper, for a false move by Rome, and then shallst I and all my nation and soldiers embark upon our rightful and justified cause, to validate and uplift Carthaginian goodwill and unmask Roman felony.

Enter a Servant

How do report of the commotion without?

Servant: Sir, the Roman ambassador to Hispania seeks thy audience over some important matters of the state.

Hannibal: Bring him to me.

[Exit servant

Tricks of Rome do seem plentiful and endless. Rome, triest thou thy worst means and worst to win me to thy side but all those shallst be in vain. I shallst not budge or be moved by spiteful talk and deceitful smiles. For I have noted that thou art famous for thy myriad if guiles. Restless peace, thunderous tranquil and calamitous calm; ay, to heal these I shall not use Roman balm. Such pernicious problems with warfare shall be solved.

Alarum. Enter Roman ambassador to Hispania, Gaius Terentius Varro; followed by Roman flag bearers and troops, they followed by Carthaginian troops.

Gaius Terentius Varro: I come from the Roman senate, as an ambassador of harmony, to thy office to hereby inform thee of certain Roman plans in these lands.

Hannibal: Pray proceed.

Gaius Terentius Varro: Hereafter Saguntum, this Hispanic city, is to become a Roman protectorate, and that Rome shall interfere if that city be harmed.

Hannibal: Blasted deal! Thou rogue, Saguntum is south if the river Ebro, this city is firmly within Carthaginian gripe, nay this intervention shall lead untimely conflict if it be true for it is a clear breach of the treaty as signed by my brother.

Gaius Terentius Varro: It is the truth, and it is final; actest thou as thou likest. Yet for my part there is not much reason to tempt us to conflict, we mean no harm by this slight breach of pact.

Hannibal: Silence thou Roman villain!! As per the facts any breach leads to outright battle, which must shortly ensue. It is a pity that Rome is so inconsiderate!

Gaius Terentius Varro: Then war it shall be! With the Saguntines, yet it is my solemn duty to warn thee of a long struggle. [Aside] A short one if thou surrender quickly.

[Exeunt all others except Hannibal

Hannibal: Hmm, the drums of war ring out, we must prepare for this quest with full fervour.

Enter Hasdrubal and Mago

Hasdrubal: Brother, do we hear of some discontent between thee and Rome?

Hannibal: Thou hearsest sooth, my brother

Mago: Then must we believe that war is imminent?

Hannibal: Ay, it is and thus let us put ourselves to the test.On the morrow ring out the alarum of war in our compound. Go to and get thou a good night’s sleep, then on the morrow our generals do we meet. So to that; let us put forward our military might. Since, the best warriors are those that can claim victory in a fight.

[Exeunt

Act 2 Scene 5

Rome, the Capitol, at night, special meeting of consuls and their deputy, convened by Consul Publius Cornelius Scipio.

Enter Publius Cornelius Scipio, Fabius Maximus, Lucius Aemilius Paullus, Sempronius Longus, Gaius Terentius Varro and Gaius Flaminius.

Publius Scipio: Gentlemen, we meet at this most untimely hour, to discuss matters that concern our state withal.

Fabius Maximus: I hear some rumour, that some great power lay in wait; in far and distant Hispania. Is it true that our dear Carthaginian friends-those Barcids attempt a kind of invasion of Rome?

Lucius Aemilius Paullus: This is grave news; for now to counter this threat we must act with prudence.

Publius Scipio: Senators please maintain thy peace; anxiety has no place when our military is there to put off Carthaginian rabble. In Po valley we have as Sempronius brings news; we have our forces ready to attack There we shall out maneuver the Spanish and then overrun their establishments.

Fabius Maximus: Ay, would that not be too hasty, the Carthaginians, shrewd as they are, may make some attempt to aid the Spanish.

Sempronius Longus: Such an upheaval can be prevented if Hasdrubal the Fair can be taken care of. My faithful servant, Marcenidorus, who would do the will of Rome, shallst find a way to do so. I doth have bestowed him ample authority. Assassination of their leader will put them on the defensive.

Gaius Terentius Varro: Shall that be just as well that Marcenidorus says, Consul?

Sempronius Longus: Yes, Marcenidorus is skilled in doing what would otherwise be sacrilege. The job will be done as if ‘twere a chance occurring.

Publius Scipio: Ay, this sounds better then shall we, with a single blow fell two birds. The young Barca, too naïve to cause us harm and challenge Rome’s imperial sway.

Gaius Flaminius: Noble Scipio, perhaps ‘tis not the time to belittle a Barca, a son of Hamilcar should always be dealt with caution. No half measure is a good one.

Sempronius Longus: Noble Flaminius, thy knowledge of the enemy too little. This fits not a general of thy calibre. The Carthaginians have owe their loyalty to Hasdrubal the Fair, ‘twill take time to make Hannibal the chief. This is what we shall exploit.

Gaius Flaminius: Hannibal may evolve into a deadly serpent; for venomous kind shallst not change his fangs, but in times relentless march, redouble its shape and increase its gall.

Publius Scipio: Grant that, but due to absence of support from their internal Governance, he shall remain crippled, and thereby writhe in the agony of despair. Nay, the plan to send out hardened troops shallst be persisted with, which shall in due course ensure our outright victory.

Fabius Maximus: [Aside] Confidence, put forth in the right path is a virtue; deposited in the wrong in becomes a menacing vice that spoils and mars many a champion.

Gentlemen I do believe that, our strategy of limited war shallst win us more friends than foes.

Publius Scipio: Then that is settled but now focus we must on the savage butchery of the rioters. Noble
Gaius Flaminius, heardst thou of any news of the unrest in the Illyrian region? If so prithee bring it out to us in this special meeting.

Gaius Flaminius: I doth have heard reports from our messengers their that the Illyrian people have openly revolted ‘gainst Rome.

Lucius Aemilius Paullus: What ho! I must need to hie their and put to rest this serious debacle. My legions are mostly around that place.

Fabius Maximus: Prithee school thy self; thou and Flaminius shallst crush this revolt, whilst Scipio and Sempronius shallst deal with the Spanish. I here will keep state and aid in both the war efforts by financial and military support.
Gaius Terentius Varro, thou shallst be our ambassador to Spain when the war there is done and thou shallst to the city of Saguntum, which shall be made our protectorate. It is a very strategic place, and once the smoke of war dies out it shall yield us good fortune if it sides with us. Then we can march into Hispania and Iberia and drive the Carthaginians from their new homes.

The rest: We shall perform, as our sovereign republic is ours to protect.

Publius Scipio: At that note let us disperse to our myriad of tasks that we have at hand. For now, the vile fumes of war does strangle our beloved land. Towards a better future our fight shall be fought. Later in peacetime this effort, will fortunes many shall have bought. Greetings galore thou shallst find if we act as men at this hour with crystal clear minds.

[Exeunt

Act 2 Scene 4

Carthaginian military camp, south of river Ebro, near Roman military installments. Ten years after the death of Hamilcar Barca.

Enter Hasdrubal the Fair, Hannibal, Hasdrubal, Mago

Hasdrubal the Fair: How now? What says our Roman counterparts; it is peacetime; and ‘twould not be wise to strain our forces in open aggressive battle.

Hannibal: We must know our enemy’s mind; on that we must act.
[Aside] Our troops need more training before we go up against Rome.

Hasdrubal: If they want conflict do we have the means to prevent that!

Mago: Dear brother be not so intimidated by Roman forces. They shall face their match ‘gainst us.

Hasdrubal: Ay, methinks Rome; being pleasurable, would rather proclaim peace than provoke war.

Hannibal: Those shall be known for sure shortly. Look ho! The Roman Flag.

Alarum. Enter Roman messenger Marcenidorus, with two guards

Marcenidorus: I come from Rome; to negotiate between our two of the greatest nations, which shall for our future be apt. I believe that Carthaginian power in this country. We do not propose to disrupt peace; Rome just wants a treaty; which states that thou keepst thy state south of this river, and we shall keep ours in in the north.

Hasdrubal the Fair: We understand the need of peace; we are happy to accept thy terms. Gentlemen- what about it?

Other Generals: So do we!

Hannibal: [Aside] Yet, my sworn heart hopes only for war!

Hasdrubal the Fair: Bring thou the pact papers; and official Roman seal, we have ink and our seal ready. Come here put them on the table and lets finalize this formal treaty. Ay, but any breach of this shallst be deemed unfair intervention; which may even lead to war. Art thou sure that Rome wants not any battle?

Marcenidorus: Noble Hasdrubal; we intend not of any quarrel between our nations. I give thy my solemn word.

Hasdrubal the Fair: Then lets us do the needful; and with that ink; ‘tis done!

Marcenidorus: Long live the harmony between our nations. [Aside] My Roman masters orders are on which I act; any change, ay thou shallst feel the necessary impact.

[Exeunt the Romans

Hasdrubal the fair: That done; now onto the other peace agreement must we venture forth; yonder look the flag of the Hispanic warlords who rule over the south. We have asked them to join our cause and they I feel shallst not disappoint us!

Hasdrubal: Hope that is so.

Enter Hispanic warlord Horifice, along with his troops and daughter Imilce.

Horifice: Hasdrubal the Fair we have heard of thy wishes we will gladly assist the in unifying Hispania if thou shall take the hand of my daughter Imilce. Thou shall also get the support of our allied tribes and their fierce horsemen.

Hasdrubal the Fair: Happy is the hour when I hear of this proposal; but ay, thy daughter will be best given to my brother-in-law Hannibal for he and she are of the right age. What sayst thou Hannibal?

Hannibal: Thy wish is my command; we must unify Iberia at all costs.

Horifice: My dear girl, what thinkst thou?

Imilce: I shall comply with thy wishes father.

Hasdrubal the Fair: So it is settled; noble Horifice; wilt thou help us.

Horifice: I most certainly will; come let us enjoy and celebrate this matrimonial alliance and feast and banquet like kinsmen.

All: So all.

[Exeunt

Act 2 Scene 3

A battlefield, Hispania, area north of new Carthage. Enter Hamilcar with troops and two generals, fighting against the tribesmen.

Hamilcar: Go to; Go to; flee from our sights!
[To the generals] Look how easily the day is won, and victory for Carthage secured.

1st General: Ay, fly naked savages, fly out to thy blasted caves.

[Exeunt tribesmen, fleeing

2nd General: Behold how these wretched fools turn their backs to our superior forces!
[Aside] Our own tribes are more cultured than these barbarians.

Hamilcar: So gentlemen stand thou hither whilst me and my right noble soldiers do bury these fallen foes. Without thine generous support our quest would have met a dismal end. These dead that seem like scattered storm debris must now be returned to their peaceful abode in mother earth’s tomb, so that they never shall have the good fortune of tormenting us as sprites!

Both Generals: Hurrah to our great victory, noble Hamilcar!

Hamilcar: No, but ‘tis not the end, we still must march on and like these tribe crush more’o’them who hath pledged their allegiance to Rome.

2nd General: [To 1st General] Does this mean our tribe? If that is so then me shall never let the peace of our tribe get disrupted. Rome has given them harmony and this shall not br disturbed again!

Hamilcar: [To the soldiers] Then let us bury these corpses and scout the area for a good camping sight.

Soldiers: [To Hamilcar] As per thy wish Lord Hamilcar.

[Exeunt soldiers carrying corpses followed by Hamilcar

1st General: This our Lord has marched his troops northward; at this rate I fear we may have to cut the throats of our fellow men! Surely we must convince him not to do so.

2nd General: Ay, well thought of, however he is hell bent on defeating Rome, and all its allies shall also suffer the same terrible fate. ‘Tis possible he march on the morrow against our tribe. I must make assurance that he shall ‘gainst our tribe not wage unneeded conflict; yet if that be his wish he will feel our wrath.

1st General: What noble brother, meanest thou murder? Must we lift aloft our instruments to strike it down upon the man who had given us hope of survival? That is sacrilegious!

2nd General: When our motherland is threatened, our source of birth right under siege it is not meet to think narrowly of one’s goodwill. Our noble Lord, for whom, I have the most unflinching support, would strike him down first without much thought, if perchance, our beloved country be marched on.

Re-enter Hamilcar Barca

Hamilcar: Well Gentlemen are we prepared to plan our next course of campaigning northward wherein we must face the more advanced and powerful tribes who are as intelligence seemeth to report have allied themselves towards the Roman cause.

1st General: But Lord Hamilcar, thou didst promise us that in return for our expertise in battle and knowledge of the lay of the land that we should not be forced to cross swords with our fellow men.


Hamilcar: Perhaps then thou couldst negotiate our stand as to the Romans, they may pay heed to the words of their kinsmen.

2nd General: For centuries our people had to suffer in the hands of the savages; then came the Romans; who drove out the barbaric hordes with our success, but we doubted the Romans and fled hither to protect our independence. Off late however we here of peace and have noted that Romans have not caused the fall of our autonomy. Nay, we shall not negotiate to break their peace for thy flimsy hatred of Rome.

Hamilcar: This is treason, no short of it! Nay when I didst recruit men in my army I asked of them supreme hatred towards Rome, shall be their only cause of joining in the army.

2nd General: To break their peace and tranquility would mean tyranny, nay we shallst not support thy cause

Hamilcar: Liars and slaves, all Roman spies, thou hast betrayed us to thy blood enemies!

2nd General: So thou likest not our proposal. Then prepare for thy impending gloomy fate. Here I draw this sword and I charge thee; thou shall fall and so, as martyrs shall we!

1st General: Me too shall strike thee down for our motherland.

Hamilcar: What? Treachery, treason; soldiers! To me!! O! O! ‘Tis too late now!

Hamilcar falls to the sword blows of his generals

2nd General: The deed is done!

Enter Hasdrubal the Fair with the troops and Young Hannibal

Hasdrubal the Fair: Hark! what noise comes from here? Who lies there? What? No it can’t be! Our beloved Hamilcar is dead and I see two of his most trusted men with bloody sabers drawn!! O Tyrannical Time! O Murderous Mayhem! O Barbaric Butchery! O Villainous Vandalism! Thou bloody rascals why didst thou do this most ignoble deed?

2nd General: We had to do it to safeguard our homeland where our people support Rome.

Soldiers: This is betrayal; we will avenge thee Hamilcar!

The soldiers fight and kill the two generals

A senior soldier: That ends all the traitors for any one else who may want to betray us shall be rendered the same fate as that has befallen these foes. Lord Hasdrubal, we now make thee our supreme commander and want thee to pursue the same policies as thy predecessor.

Hasdrubal the Fair: Ay I shall fulfill thy wish most noble Hamilcar who were’t a father to me.
Soldiers: Hail Hasdrubal the Fair! Hail!

Hasdrubal the Fair: Comrades, come let us bury these butchers in a place of secrecy and give our departed Lord a honourable state funeral.

[Exeunt soldiers carrying the dead along with Hasdrubal the Fair

Young Hannibal: Time runs out and day fades away; but is it really true; noble father, didst thou begin thy solitary march for thy heavenly abode so soon? Thou hast indeed fallen like a brave champion to the butcher’s blade. Give me strength most noble father that I may keep mine promises and emulate thy valour against Rome. Now I feel the true meaning of the oath that I did take in Carthage. My pledge is fully solemnized. I shall from this day grow tactful, alert and fearless. To avenge thy death Rome shall burn. From this day to me the world grows fallow; for I have a feeling that is empty and hollow. Nothing but victory over Rome is my only desire, without getting that; it shall burn like a raging fire. Justice, peace and harmony remain thou all far away; this world, as I see, only has a treacherous say. Tricks, felony and thoughts abhorrent which does my mind besiege; Thou world, who ever uses them, thou maketh him thy liege. Enough talk I must hush and hie, for I must not be left high and dry. Rome thou tremble in hellish fear, for thy eternal demon, Hannibal is here.

[Exit

Act 2 Scene 2

A tent, at night, somewhere deep in Hispania. Enter Hasdrubal the Fair

Hasdrubal the Fair: Four years have passed in this foreign place; none have been useless but none have been so disturbing as that yester night, which at first did seem nonchalant. ’Tis true that great events warn of their coming by omens not understood by mere mortals. Outside of this tent as I now watch those wretched souls party yonder I cannot help but ponder over sightings unnatural to every human eye.
Last night at this very hour did twenty owls hoot, why? Ay, and twenty wolves and twenty o’th’other beasts did fight tooth and nail. Thunder and lightning played about fore telling of some great uprising and stupendous feats, which I do fear! Does Rome control nature itself? Nay, that can never happen. Yet with these very eyes I did see ghastly figures jumping around the fire, chanting vile hymns. Ay the leaden sky did upon those hapless knaves rain down glowing flames which, indignant and unabashed of itself, did engulf their homes. The shaman here say such events mean a great war in the near future. So are again at war with Rome?

Thunder cracks outside

What was that? Well just thunder. Ay, ‘tis not proper that I think o these now. I must hush up.

Enter Hamilcar Barca

Hamilcar: How goes the preparation for the conquest of these areas, my boy?

Hasdrubal the Fair: Well, ‘twas a rough night the day before, but I both beast and man keep their health and also hold up their high sprites. How does thy noble son?

Hamilcar: He does well, a boy he is yet he thinks like a man. He grasps quickly the need o’th’hour and likewise uses the available resources. He does enjoy it when the elephants are used.

Hasdrubal the Fair: So what are the plans, are thy men ready to take on these fearless tribes that encircle us from all directions?

Hamilcar: Ay, they are, and on the morrow at first light we shall move and begin our assault upon our foes, most of whom, do pledge their allegiance towards Rome. We must then be at our best energies and thus at this hour put out the light and go abed.

Hasdrubal the Fair: So must we indeed.

[Exeunt

Act 2 Scene 1

A stable and beside it an enclosure in new Carthage; four years later. Enter Hamilcar Barca and Young Hannibal

Young Hannibal: I see father that we possess well-groomed horses; these should be extremely helpful in combat- are these the minions of their races?


Hamilcar: Ay my son, these horses as splendid as they are brought ashore from lands far off from here. But good horses alone canst not ensure outright victory; indeed these are but the first requirements; thou shallst note that training cavalry men is a task of great complications. The Romans train legions, but we bereft of support from our motherland canst not do so.

[Aside]’Tis a shame that even after the first bloody battle that our beloved Carthage hath not given us the plenteous it promised.

Son, observeth thou those huge beats prowling there; which should to thy unhardened mettle be straight out’o’the fantasy! Behold for these animals shall be our secret weapon ‘gainst Rome.

Young Hannibal: What creatures, so unearthly and yet so majestic in their stride and they are given spouts to filter out water like fountains back home!

Hamilcar: These, my son, are called Elephants, from distant places such as India and Persia.The Romans do not use them in battle, but Carthage, as thou shall find out later, does, for it is the main source of surprise, power and dominance in combat over Rome. Mark, that which thou didst dismiss as spouts of fountains, is their nose. Their nose has a name- trunk.They can put that for use in conflict. The infantry terrified at this sight shall be hoisted of the firm earth and cast away to die. Those teeth or, tasks are covered with steel shaped like that-the enemy is impaled on it. Those feet which does produce a thunderous sound; ay; can crush enemy troops. Yet boy holdest thy breath; these must be used separately and with utmost care and caution for these in madness do not know; which soldier is friend or foe!

Young Hannibal: What creatures, so unruly that should be used to fight a vicious enemy as Rome.

Hamilcar: Ay, son for this is the point of our meeting, go thou back to thy camp and gather thy belongings For on the morrow we shall march; therein I shall teach thee ways to maneuver the elephants and infantry alike to from a menacing army.

Young Hannibal: I shall act as per thy wish, most noble father.

[Exit

Hamilcar: His desire to conquer his enemies at such a tender age feels me with a sense of joy and belief. That to us all he shall, in due course, bring harmony and relief. Gods impede not this little boy; shower him all the blessings that thou can. For he shall in the future rise up and become a proper man. Thus to all the world and beyond; go pronounce. That he shall from every willing man’s shoulders Rome’s tyrannical rule denounce. So, may he move on from strength to strength. And by halting Rome, go that extra length.

[Exit

Act 1 Scene 4

Iberian coast. Enter the Carthaginian army, headed by Hamilcar Barca,Hasdrubal the Fair, and other senior commanders, followed by Young Hannibal. They are greeted by Hamilcar's Hispanic and Gaelic troops.

Hamilcar: Here, the place where I put up a colony to thwart Rome's advance and this very place shall be site of a new capital, Name o'that : New Carthage.

Soldiers:Hail, Hamilcar he that will lead us all to victory!

Hamilcar: Peace,keep thy valour to thy work, for now set up camp.On the morrow, we shall venture
out and start the work of carving a new home for ourselves.

Hispanic and Gaelic Allies: Hail, Hamilcar, thou hast given us hope and now we shall follow thee every where;we shall uphold thy every wish and view thy every as that were from Heaven itself,showered on our heads.Hail Hamilcar!

Hamilcar: I am certainly not as powerful as the Divine above, but Amen, and to see thy ever lasting
love and loyalty is heart-rendering; me feels confident that now we shall see our fortunes turned.So on that,come gentlemen let us camp tonight. So that from each later date, we shall give Rome Horror and Fright!

[Exeunt

Act 1 Scene 3

A place of worship in Hamilcar’s residence, and there a sacrificial chamber. Enter Hamilcar along with Young Hannibal

Hamilcar: Now son, prepare to embrace that path which thou hast chosen.

Young Hannibal: Prithee, go ahead father.

Hamilcar lights a fire in the sacrificial chamber; and then holds Young Hannibal aloft over the vicious flames.

Hamilcar: Upon these flames chastise thy self and take oath; that thou shall for all thy mortal years,
never extend a friendly arm towards Rome .

Young Hannibal: Father, Rome shall forever from now be my eternal enemy.

Hamilcar: Take a solemn vow: that with time thou shall take up true responsibility of a Barca; and curb Rome’s imperial charge. As soon as age permit, thou shall with the aid of fire and steel, put an end to all of Rome’s successes and arrest its destiny.

Young Hannibal: I shall father, and effectively by doing so, at an appropriate time, arrest its destiny.So long as I shall draw breath, it shall be my sole purpose of being alive. Nothing shall come between me and my lifelong ambition. Even in my darkest hour I shall never give way to mine sworn enemies. I shall fight them till from my bones my strength will ebb. Nothing stopping ere that, I solemnly do pledge.

Hamilcar now takes his son away from the flames and to the Goddess

Hamilcar: Now let us move to the Goddess and solemnize thy vow further; that thou shall forever oppose the Roman way of life; that vengeance ‘gainst Rome shallst be thy only duty.That never in thy life shall thou rest whilst Rome dines, feasts and enjoys dominating other civilizations. Thou shall find any means to oppose Rome and thou shall begin that practice from now and from this very hour.

Young Hannibal: I redouble my promises that I did make over the flames; so Amen.

Hamilcar: Amen; and son the hours run faster than the fastest winds; let us to bed.
On the morrow we shall sail off to Iberia and begin our relentless quest to defeat Rome.

[Exeunt

Act 1 Scene 2

Hamilcar’s residence, Carthage. Enter Hamilcar Barca, who paces restlessly up and down a room in his house, and then Stands by the window, sees rain and reflects.

Hamilcar: The rains fall down on the parched earth beneath but, ay, they can with all their splendour only douse the fire in the hearts of the tillers of the soil, but not inside us. No rain, no soothing wind nor bounteous and joyful sunshine can ever cause a stir or provoke feelings, which can bring delight to our souls. I had given it all;fought ‘gainst the feisty waves and threatening tides, against direst thunder and ship-wrecking storms, yet my country faced defeat. Rome is all o’these and more, muchmore than I thought my mortal hands could defeat. However, the fire of revenge burns in me, for it has always been mine sole belief that Rome should never have all the glory .To stop Rome now were to build an army of mine own.That job to be accomplished, I must flee from Carthage, because here the Government is withered and restless, here only idiocracy rules, so no laborious toil shall ever bear fruit. Nay,’twere better to leave home and venture into newly won Iberia, to find new for fortune, lest that too shall in time’s relentless course render a hand to Rome.

Enter Hasdrubal, the Fair

How does the troops now? What about our plans to sail to Iberia?

Hasdrubal, the Fair: Lord Hamilcar, I have given much thought to thy wishes, however to say sooth, our beloved Carthage is not supplied with fleets of sea-worthy vessels that adorn our enemy’s docks. So we must march inland unto the Pillars of Hercules, wherein we shall set sail across the the Gulf of Gibraltar and chase our fortune in the foreign land. But my Lord do you propose to bring along any of thy children along.

Hamilcar: I have given that much thought and, as much I want them to be able warriors, I still cannot
vouch say that they shall be safe thither in the foreign land. I believe these sturdy walls of
this robust fortress shall prevent them from trouble.

Enter Young Hannibal

Young Hannibal: Father I hear a rumble at the northern entry, are these noises made by thy troops.

Hamilcar: Ay, son for I am moving off to a newly conquered place, to renew my war effort and reclaim
our lost grace.

Young Hannibal: Wilt thou noble father, take me there too?

Hamilcar: Nay my son, for thou art too young to make enemies and wage war in uncharted territory.

Young Hannibal: I implore thee father, prithee, take me with thee and teach me all the necessities essential in a true warrior.

Hamilcar: What say you boy! Inside thine eyes I see a fire raging! Wherefore gotst thou this fiery vision, that should, like ornaments of a woman, glorify a man’s face and not be encountered in the innocence of childhood ?

Young Hannibal: From thee most noble father, by virtue and right of birth I do inherit this fire to cast at mine enemies, those that Carthage didst fight against. I know them that thou hatest withal; I feel thy passion and like any beloved son, I would like to assist thee wholeheartedly in thy every single task that thou undertake.

Hamilcar: Do you wish learn the art to crush an invincible Rome?

Young Hannibal: Yes, if thou shalt teach me father.

Hasdrubal, the Fair: Lord Hamilcar, his addition to our midst shall bolster our success not impede it. His desire shall fuel the flame of ambition to defeat Rome. I suggest he be incorporated in the army and taught the martial lessons from this tender age. I feel that from his brothers shall inspiration draw and then I shall teach them all that I have learnt from thee to groom them into feared warriors and cunning
generals.


Hamilcar: So methinks me will.

Enter a senior Captain

Captain: My Lord, the troops are in full readiness; they await your command.

Hamilcar: Go tell them good Captain that on the morrow, at first light, we shall march towards the Pillars of Hercules, and from their set sail. Hasdrubal, the Fair, also ready thy troops.

Hasdrubal, the Fair: I shall shortly.

Captain: I shall do as told.

[Exeunt Hasdrubal, the Fair along with the Captain

Hamilcar: Now son prepare to face thy fate that thou art so eager to put on thy young and immature shoulders.

Young Hannibal: I will father and do thy every bidding from now on.

Hamilcar: Then follow me, son.

[Exeunt

Act 1 Scene 1

Night, outside the city of Carthage, thunder and lightning. Enter four citizens

1st citizen: The Heavens rumble; they herald the coming of restless and uncertain times,where poor men must tread with caution, pay heed to the unnatural deeds and live in fear of unsafe future, tormented by misery and turmoil, as doth seem in night’s sky above.

2nd citizen: Ay, as these clouds summon rain from the Mediterranean, they prate about Rome’s sole reign over all these magnificent lands. These are indeed accursed hours.

[Aside] Things that doth seem unbecoming of nature are given shape,and men liable to complacency are wasted in their full summer bloom.

[To 1st citizen] How stands the state of war now? Did our troops return?

1st citizen: Ay they are come back. The enforcers of governance see the time fit to blame the failed generals of the 1st Punic war generals and cast them off. Yet I hear of the tale of one great general whose name to our mortals ears brings some hope.

3rd citizen: Ay, ‘tis Hamilcar Barca who with some success fought ‘gainst the Romans In Iberia whilst fleeing from Sicily, ay, can even he protect this beleaguered nation, from the plight of Roman tyranny?


4th citizen: It doth seem rather peculiar that we should fall to Rome like rabbits to a falcon !

Enter two soldiers

1st soldier: What meanest thou by this mockery at this horrifying and frightening hour of the night? Heard you not the clock? ‘Tis time that thou fools should hie to thy homes and not discuss the state of affairs that is but the headache of Senators.

2nd soldier: Besides that the night seems rough;’tis not meet that you all should stand and incur the wrath of the heavens.


4th citizen: ‘Tis most needed to go homeward ho, when the heavens to us their anger show; yet I beg thee answer my query: Shall all our lives be touched by the turmoil of the Heavens or we like satiated men live to see happier times.


2nd soldier: To that question, old father, I have no answer; but hope thou still; That our leaders to us will belief instill; so till that time methinks the nightis hazardous to thy cause and so all of thee must now go.

[Exeunt the citizens

1st soldier: That ends, but now I fear the executioners fatal axe shall find many a victim.

2nd soldier: Ay; I agree.

Alarum within and Terrible Noises

2nd soldier: Hark what noise cometh hither; are bloody executions done?

1st soldier: Me fears so but can do nothing for those wretched souls. Lord, keep us sound and let our motherland lose no more sons of theirs at the executioners hands.

2nd soldier: Amen, and let it be.

Alarum

1st soldier: Methinks that the nights business is over;let us proceed to our nightly posts, and hope each morrow bears us welcome notes.

[Exeunt

Prologue

The 1st Punic war is at an end, and Carthage has been humiliated. 

Hamilcar Barca has returned partially victorious- he was driven out of Sicily and then he conquered Hispania.

Well not all of it but he did enough to get a toe hold on that land from where later his son would launch a vicious campaign to unseat Rome herself!

In a desolate shore of a nondescript Hispanic beach. Thunder and Lightning, and Enter Chaos.

Chaos:  Let countrymen young and old!
             Listen You people scared and bold!

             The tale of Tales that I have spun
             the beginning of a humble fun,

             A tale so simple and yet so lost
             buried within the permafrost!

            The time has come, so hear yea all
             of the greatest's rise and fall!
              
            A horrid tale of war and lust
            whose glory is but fading dust.
       
            A fallen Lord and a broken crown
            yet the guilty party was a clown!

            He played along with a lot of dues
            till the setting sun gave him the blues

            An army so strong and vast...
            yet it cannot a day last!
            
            A  father's dream and a son's great quest!
            To conquer both the east and west!
         
             A journey long, arduous and sharp
             of swords and daggers, and flutes and harp!
             
            So now people are you feeling weird?
            'Tis exactly what I feared...

             Hear! Hear! Stay on now
             and remove the sweats from your brow,

             The poor sentry, however swift,
              just gives the soldier a lousy gift!
   
             So there it is, the end is here
             for a mighty fiend approaches near...
           
             Time is short so now I must flee
             and yet fill every heart with glee!
             
             Fret Not! Fret Not! Here thunder doth ring
             and CHAOS does as CHAOS thinks!!

Dramatis Personae

For Carthage:-

Hamilcar Barca, Carthaginian military commander and Hannibal’s father.

Young Hannibal, Hannibal in his early years.

Hannibal, the protagonist, Carthaginian military commander, and a great tactician.

Hasdrubal the Fair, Brother-in-law to Hannibal.

Hasdrubal and Mago, Hannibal’s brothers.

Maharbal and Hano, Cavalry commanders in the army of Hannibal.

Hanno, the Great, Carthaginian Councillors and influential oligarch.

Gisco and Asdrubal Hoedus, Senior Carthaginian Councillors.

Carthaginian Councillors, citizens, captains and military officers, troops, messengers.

For Rome:-

Publius Cornelius Scipio, Commander of Rome’s legions.

Scipio the Younger, later Scipio Africanus, son of Publius Scipio, and Roman legion commander.

Gaius Terentius Varro, influential Senator and military Commander.

Gaius Flaminius, Roman military general.

Fabius Maximus, Roman military general and influential Senator.

Lucius Aemillius Paullus, Roman military general and senior Senator.

Sempronius Longus, Roman military general.

Cnaeus Servilius, Roman Senator and military commander.

Marcenidorus, fictitious Roman spy in Hispania.

Roman Senators, citizens, Italian villagers, military officers and captains, troops, messengers, porters.

Others:-

Hispanic Chieftains and tribesmen.

Gaelic Chieftains and tribesmen.

Horifice, name fictitious, tribal chief to whose daughter Hannibal was betrothed.

Imilce, Hannibal’s wife.

Saguntine citizens and villagers.

Wild Cards:-

Soothsayer, Rome.

Knave, pupil of the soothsayer, Rome.

Old man, resident of Hispania.

Horses, elephants and other animals etc.

Preface

This blog is not meant to steal anything from any one.I am just a fan who is fond of history and Shakespearean plays. So I want write about one of history's most formidable,cunning,successful and yet loathed and hated general.

Yes you are right!

It is Hannibal.

I simply want to present historical facts and philosophical and melancholic thoughts of a boy and then a man who was in every practical sense, a true patriot. A man who gave his all for his country yet received deception, betrayal and defeat.

The Romans feared him yet admired and respected him.

This is his story.