enemy, there was no question of the crossing being carried out in a haphazard manner: ‘He had filled the boats with his light horse and the canoes with his lightest infantry. The large boats were placed highest up stream and the lighter ferry-boats farther down, so that the heavier vessels receiving the chief force of the current the canoes should be less exposed to risk in crossing.’ The horses were to be towed swimming astern of the boats, with a man on each side of the stern holding the reins of three or four horses so that a considerable number of them could be got across at the same time. Others were saddled and bridled and put on board the larger ferries so that their riders would be ready for instant action when they reached the far side. The elephants presented a very different problem but, as will be seen, one that would be dealt with efficiently when the time came. On the fifth night, while the main body was making ready for the morning, the troops under Hanno began to move southward. As soon as they were in position to the rear of the Gauls, they made a smoke signal as pre-arranged with Hannibal.
On the morning of the sixth day, seeing the smoke lift in the sky to the east, Hannibal gave the order for the crossing to begin. Boats large and small, ferries, dugout canoes, and individuals paddling their own logs now launched themselves on the silky sweep of the great river. All the Gauls at once left their encampment and joined the throng on the bank shouting war cries, clashing their shields, and brandishing their spears. On the other bank, the Carthaginians who had not embarked shouted encouragement as their vanguard swept across; some managing to stem the current, while others were swept down to make a landing south of the enemy. The heavier craft carrying the horses and their riders were on the point of touching down when the troops under Hanno struck in the rear of the Gauls. At once there was a great outcry as the Gauls saw their tents and their encampment going up in flames. Caught between two fires, they ran wildly back and forth—their willingness to fight no compensation for their disorder. Hannibal took the measure of these people quickly enough, and it is significant that in his campaigns he used Gallic manpower quite cynically, exploiting their bravery but never putting them in a position where they were not flanked by trained troops, nor without a rearguard that would hold them if they tried to break and run.
As the full weight of the Carthaginian landing began to make itself felt the Gauls took to their heels. Hannibal had established his beachhead on the eastern bank of the Rhône, and the other troops were swift to follow as a regular ferry-service was established. By sunset that night they were fully encamped on the eastern bank. The following morning grave news reached them: a Roman army had disembarked and was assembled near the eastern mouth of the Rhône. If Scipio was astonished to hear that Hannibal was across the Pyrenees, Hannibal was hardly less surprised to hear of the Romans at so short a distance from him. Five hundred of the Numidian horse were immediately sent off to observe the whereabouts of the, enemy and to take stock of their numbers. Hannibal had no wish to fight in Gaul—however successful the outcome might be—for his aim was to get his army into Italy. Owing to the delay in Spain, he was already far behind in his timetable, and the crossing of the Rhône, which should have been in midsummer, or earlier, almost certainly took place towards the end of September. If he delayed any longer the mountain passes of the Alps would be irrevocably closed.
Meanwhile large piers had been built out into the river with rafts attached to them at the far end, for the transport of the elephants. To these in their turn were fastened towing-lines for the boats that were to pull them across. ‘After this they piled up a quantity of earth on all the line of the rafts, until the whole was
On the morning of the sixth day, seeing the smoke lift in the sky to the east, Hannibal gave the order for the crossing to begin. Boats large and small, ferries, dugout canoes, and individuals paddling their own logs now launched themselves on the silky sweep of the great river. All the Gauls at once left their encampment and joined the throng on the bank shouting war cries, clashing their shields, and brandishing their spears. On the other bank, the Carthaginians who had not embarked shouted encouragement as their vanguard swept across; some managing to stem the current, while others were swept down to make a landing south of the enemy. The heavier craft carrying the horses and their riders were on the point of touching down when the troops under Hanno struck in the rear of the Gauls. At once there was a great outcry as the Gauls saw their tents and their encampment going up in flames. Caught between two fires, they ran wildly back and forth—their willingness to fight no compensation for their disorder. Hannibal took the measure of these people quickly enough, and it is significant that in his campaigns he used Gallic manpower quite cynically, exploiting their bravery but never putting them in a position where they were not flanked by trained troops, nor without a rearguard that would hold them if they tried to break and run.
As the full weight of the Carthaginian landing began to make itself felt the Gauls took to their heels. Hannibal had established his beachhead on the eastern bank of the Rhône, and the other troops were swift to follow as a regular ferry-service was established. By sunset that night they were fully encamped on the eastern bank. The following morning grave news reached them: a Roman army had disembarked and was assembled near the eastern mouth of the Rhône. If Scipio was astonished to hear that Hannibal was across the Pyrenees, Hannibal was hardly less surprised to hear of the Romans at so short a distance from him. Five hundred of the Numidian horse were immediately sent off to observe the whereabouts of the, enemy and to take stock of their numbers. Hannibal had no wish to fight in Gaul—however successful the outcome might be—for his aim was to get his army into Italy. Owing to the delay in Spain, he was already far behind in his timetable, and the crossing of the Rhône, which should have been in midsummer, or earlier, almost certainly took place towards the end of September. If he delayed any longer the mountain passes of the Alps would be irrevocably closed.
Meanwhile large piers had been built out into the river with rafts attached to them at the far end, for the transport of the elephants. To these in their turn were fastened towing-lines for the boats that were to pull them across. ‘After this they piled up a quantity of earth on all the line of the rafts, until the whole was
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