22. in dēditiōnem accēpit: cf. in dēditiōnem accēpērunt, Bk. II, 21.
24. cōnsulem: he was praetor, not consul. He was surprised by Hannibal and slain before Herdonia.
Page 33.
Ch. 15.
2. P. Cornēlius Scīpiō: he is one of the most interesting characters in Roman history. Brilliant and versatile, he seemed to be the favorite of fortune. When the senate had resolved to make one more attempt to conquer Spain and were looking for a leader, he offered himself and was sent with 11,000 men. On his arrival he found the forces of the Carthaginians scattered in different parts of the province, and New Carthage defended by a weak garrison. By a brilliant stratagem he captured this with its riches and munitions of war, 207 B.C. Next he attacked Hasdrubal at Baecula in Andalusia. Although the Romans claimed the victory, Hasdrubal escaped from his hands and started for Italy to bear aid to his brother Hannibal. Spain was left to the undisputed possession of the Romans.
3. annōs nātus … vīgintī: cf. decem … nātus, Bk. I, 1. He was too young to be elected to the consulship.
5. ferē prīmus: ‘almost the first.’
Karthāginem Hispāniae: called ‘New Carthage.’ See note on bellum Pūnicum secundum, Ch. 7. A town still exists on the same spot bearing the name Cartagena.
11. ūnō animō: ‘with one accord.’