This digression has led us away from the affairs of <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Spain&groupId=983&placeId=1735">Spain</a>, where Hasdrubal, after governing the country for eight years, was assassinated at night in his lodging by a certain Celt owing to wrongs of a private nature.
He had largely increased the power of <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Carthage&groupId=441&placeId=820">Carthage</a>, not so much by military action as by friendly intercourse with the chiefs.
The Carthaginians appointed Hannibal to the chief command in <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Spain&groupId=983&placeId=1735">Spain</a>, although he was still young, owing to the shrewdness and courage he had evinced in their service.
From the moment that he assumed the command, it was evident from the measures he took that he intended to make war on <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Rome&groupId=935&placeId=1669">Rome</a>, as indeed he finished by doing, and that very shortly.
The relations between <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Carthage&groupId=441&placeId=820">Carthage</a> and <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Rome&groupId=935&placeId=1669">Rome</a> were henceforth characterized by mutual suspicion and friction.
The Carthaginians continued to form designs against <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Rome&groupId=935&placeId=1669">Rome</a> as they were eager to be revenged for their reverses in <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Sicily&groupId=973&placeId=1724">Sicily</a>, while the Romans, detecting their projects, mistrusted them profoundly.
It was therefore evident to all competent judges that it would not be long before war broke out between them.
Walbank Commentary