1As to who should take Hasdrubal's place there was no doubt that the favour of the common people would follow the soldiers' prior choice, by which the young Hannibal had at once been carried into the general's tent and hailed as commander amid a great shout and the assent of all. 2Hasdrubal had summoned him by letter when he was barely of age, and the matter had even been debated in the senate. 2When the Barcines were pressing for Hannibal to grow used to military service and to succeed to his father's power, Hanno, the leader of the other faction, said: 'Hasdrubal seems to be asking what is fair, and yet I do not think that what he asks should be granted.' 4When he had turned everyone's eyes upon himself in astonishment at so double-edged an opinion, he said: 'Hasdrubal thinks that the bloom of youth which he himself offered to Hannibal's father to enjoy may rightfully be claimed back from the son; 4but it is not at all fitting for us to accustom our young men, by way of military apprenticeship, to the lust of our generals.
5Or are we afraid that Hamilcar's son may see too late the immoderate power and show of his father's kingship, and that we may be too slow to become slaves to the son of that king to whose son-in-law our armies were left as an inheritance? 6I think that this young man should be kept at home, under the laws, under the magistrates, and taught to live on equal terms with everyone else, lest at some time this small spark should kindle a great conflagration.'