In the preceding book I stated in the first place at what date the Romans having subjected <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Italy&groupId=656&placeId=1199">Italy</a> began to concern themselves in enterprises outside the peninsula; next I narrated how they crossed to <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Sicily&groupId=973&placeId=1724">Sicily</a> and what were their reasons for undertaking the war with <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Carthage&groupId=441&placeId=820">Carthage</a> for the possession of that island.
After relating when and how they first built naval forces, I pursued the history of the war on both sides until its end, at which the Carthaginians evacuated all <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Sicily&groupId=973&placeId=1724">Sicily</a>, and the Romans acquired the whole island except the parts which were Hiero\'s dominions.
In the next place I set myself to describe how the mercenaries mutinied against <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Carthage&groupId=441&placeId=820">Carthage</a> and set ablaze the so‑called Libyan war; I described all the terrible atrocities committed in this war, all its dramatic surprises, and their issues, until it ended in the final triumph of <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Carthage&groupId=441&placeId=820">Carthage</a>.
I will now attempt to give a summary view, according to my original project, of the events immediately following.
The Carthaginians, as soon as they had set the affairs of <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Libya&groupId=686&placeId=427">Libya</a> in order, dispatched Hamilcar to the land of <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Spain&groupId=983&placeId=1735">Spain</a> entrusting him with an adequate force.
Taking with him his army and his son Hannibal now nine years of age, he crossed the straits of Gibraltar and applied himself to subjugating <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Spain&groupId=983&placeId=1735">Spain</a> to the Carthaginians.
In this country he spent about nine years during which he reduced many Iberian tribes to obedience either by force of arms or by diplomacy, and finally met with an end worthy of his high achievements,
dying bravely in a battle against one of the most warlike and powerful tribes, after freely exposing his person to danger on the field.
The Carthaginians handed over the command of the army to Hasdrubal his son-in‑law and chief naval officer.
Walbank Commentary