Nor was the siege of Saguntum, in the mean time, less vigorously maintained;
Maharbal, the son of Himilco, whom Hannibal had set over the army, carrying
on operations so actively that neither the townsmen nor their enemies perceived
that the general was away. He both engaged in several successful battles, and
with three battering-rams overthrew a portion of the wall; and showed to Hannibal,
on his arrival the ground all covered with fresh ruins. The army was therefore
immediately led against the citadel itself, and a desperate combat was commenced
with much slaughter on both sides, and part of the citadel was taken. The slight
chance of a peace was then tried by two persons; Alcon a Saguntine, and Alorcus
a Spaniard. Alcon, thinking he could effect something by entreaties, having
passed over, without the knowledge of the Saguntines, to Hannibal by night,
when his tears produced no effect, and harsh conditions were offered as from
an exasperated conqueror, becoming a deserter instead of an advocate, remained
with the enemy; affirming that the man would be put to death who should treat
for peace on such terms. For it was required that they should make restitution
to the Turdetani; and after delivering up all their gold and silver, departing
from the city each with a single garment, should take up their dwelling where
the Carthaginian should direct. Alcon having denied that the Saguntines would
accept such terms of peace, Alorcus, asserting that when all else is subdued,
the mind becomes subdued, offers himself as the proposer of that peace. Now
at that time he was a soldier of Hannibal's, but publicly the friend and host
of the Saguntines. Having openly delivered his weapon to the guards of the enemy
and passed the fortifications, he was conducted, as he had himself requested,
to the Saguntine praetor; whither when there was immediately a general rush
of every description of people, the rest of the multitude being removed, an
audience of the senate is given to Alorcus; whose speech was to the following
effect:
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