The Carthaginians could ill bear their defeat in the war for <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Sicily&groupId=973&placeId=1724">Sicily</a>, and, as I said above, they were additionally exasperated by the matter of <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Sardinia&groupId=947&placeId=1685">Sardinia</a> and the exorbitancy of the sum they had been last obliged to agree to pay.
Therefore, when they had subjugated the greater part of Iberia, they were quite ready to adopt any measures against <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Rome&groupId=935&placeId=1669">Rome</a> which suggested themselves.
On the death of Hasdrubal, to whom after that of Hamilcar they had entrusted the government of Iberia, they at first waited for a pronouncement on the part of the troops,
and when news reached them from their armies that the soldiers had unanimously chosen Hannibal as their commander, they hastened to summon a general assembly of the commons, which unanimously ratified the choice of the soldiers.
Hannibal on assuming the command, at once set forth with the view of subduing a tribe called the Olcades, and arriving before their most powerful city <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Althaea&groupId=314&placeId=610">Althaea</a>,<note place="end" resp="tr" id="note1"><emph rend="bold"><a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Althaea&groupId=314&placeId=610">Althaea</a>:</emph>Livy calls it Castala.</note>
encamped there and soon made himself master of it by a series of vigorous and formidable assaults, upon which the rest of the tribe were overawed and submitted to the Carthaginians.
After exacting tribute from the towns and possessing himself of a considerable sum, he retired to winter quarters at <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=New Carthage&groupId=791&placeId=1430">New Carthage</a>.
By the generosity he now displayed to the troops under his command, paying them in part and promising further payment, he inspired in them great good-will to himself and high hopes of the future.
Walbank Commentary