1Nor was the siege of Saguntum any slacker, since Maharbal, son of Himilco — Hannibal had put him in charge — was conducting operations so energetically that neither citizens nor enemies felt the general's absence. 2He fought several successful battles, knocked down a considerable part of the wall with three rams, and on Hannibal's arrival showed him everything laid flat with fresh ruins. 3And so the army was at once led against the citadel itself, and a fierce battle was begun with heavy slaughter on both sides, and part of the citadel was taken. 3Then a slender hope of peace was tried through two men, Alco a Saguntine and Alorcus a Spaniard.
4Alco, without the knowledge of the Saguntines, thinking he would achieve something by entreaties, crossed over to Hannibal by night; when his tears had no effect and harsh terms were offered, as from an angry victor, he turned from spokesman into deserter and stayed with the enemy, declaring that anyone who negotiated for peace on those terms would be put to death. 5The demands were that they should restore their property to the Turdetani, and, handing over all their gold and silver, should leave the city with a single garment each and live wherever the Carthaginian ordered. 6When Alco denied that the Saguntines would accept these terms of peace, Alorcus, declaring that spirits are conquered when everything else is conquered, promises that he will be the intermediary for that peace; 6he was at that time a soldier of Hannibal, but officially a friend and guest-friend of the Saguntines.
7Handing over his weapon openly to the enemy's guards, he crossed the fortifications and was taken — he himself asked for this — to the Saguntine commander. 8When a crowd of people of every kind had at once gathered there, the rest of the throng was moved away and Alorcus was given a hearing by the senate; his speech was as follows: