In this excerpt, from the Latin author Livy, he describes how Hannibal was summoned to Africa by the ambassadors of Carthage, threatened by the Romans, and they show the emotion of a man who was one step away from winning the war of his people, but who not having seized the moment after the Battle of Canne; now he sees his country in ruins.
Latin excerpt text (Hannibal is referenced in Africa):
Ad Hannibalem legati a Carthagine venerunt, eum in Africam revocantes. Ille dicitur, fredens gemensque ac vix lacrimis temperans, eorum verba audisse. Consilio legatorum cognito, <<Iam non perplexe, inquit, sed palam me revocant qui, vetando supplementum ad me mitti, iam pridem me retrahebant. Vicit ergo Hannibalem non populus Romanus, toties caesus fugatusque, sed senatus Carthaginensis, obtrectatione et invidia>>. Ferunt illum respexisse Italiae litora, deos hominesque accusantem. In se quoque ac suum ipsius caput execratus est, quod Romam non duxisset milites suos, cruentos Cannensi victoria.
Italian translation of the version (Hannibal is recalled in Africa):
The ambassadors presented themselves to Hannibal from Carthage, recalling him to Africa. It is said that he, having listened to their words, shuddered, groaned, and barely held back tears. After knowing the ambassadors’ decision, he said “no longer obscurely, but openly claim me those who, sent to me prohibiting additional help, had for some time been forcing me to go back. Therefore he won over Hannibal not the Roman people, many times massacred and put to flight, but the Carthaginian senate, with malice and envy >>. It is said that he himself turned his gaze to the coast of Italy, accusing the gods and men. He cursed himself and his life for not having led his soldiers to Rome, thirsting for blood for the victory of Canne.
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