Section 7 Livy: Hannibal Crosses the Alps Notes Part 4

Question 1

Circumpadanos campos

Answer 1

These are the gentle fertile lands which surround the River Po in North Italy. A beautiful calm place which would have looked very good to the exhausted Carthaginian troops.

Question 2

montibus / campos

Answer 2

Note that these two things are juxtaposed to bring out the contrast between those two environments.

Question 3

ostentat

Answer 3

The graphic use of the present tense helps to bring the reader into this very dramatic moment, as Hannibal shows his men what they have achieved, and what lies ahead.

Question 4

moenia

Answer 4

Hannibal uses a metaphor - he compares the Alps to defensive walls, and thus illustrates to his men that they have conquered Rome’s defences in crossing the mountains. This will lift their spirits.