A Hero’s Confrontation

“What is that?!” The army was troubled.

He heard the rumblings, the discontent, the disbelief, and shook his head.  These warriors had forgotten their heroic lineage. 

Hannibal stood and addressed his war council, many of whom still pointed heatedly at the great grey beast at the center of the room.

“Obviously gentlemen,” he spoke softly, never raising his voice. “That, is an elephant.”

A lieutenant stood abruptly and demanded, “General Hannibal, we can see that it is one of the Iberian beasts. But what is it doing in Carthage?” Murmurs of assent echoed around the long table, fueling the vocal malcontent.

“It appears to be eating,” Hannibal said drily.

Too fearful to take the bait, the lieutenant blurted out, “then what are we doing in Carthage, General Hannibal?”

Hannibal chose not to answer immediately.  He remained standing, powerful arms crossed over a barrel chest, piercing eyes looking out over his gathered war leaders.  He searched each soldier’s soul for the warrior within.

As Hannibal’s gaze passed over the assembled masses, many wavered and looked down. The lieutenant quailed without his comrades' backing him, and exposed, sat down, humbled and silenced.

Hannibal's lip curled.  He disliked what he saw.  Where he should have seen strength, determination, and fire in the eyes of his war council, he saw only uncertainty and fear.

At long last, Hannibal spoke.

“When fair Queen Elissa fled Troy from the ransacking of the Greek invaders, she had a vision.  Freedom.”  He looked around the great hall. Every eye was upon him and every ear bent to his commanding word.  It was a start.

He continued, "I, too, have a vision.”  His voice rose, “For too long, the Roman Empire has extended itself, preying upon our waters, upon our people.  The Macedonians may take it in stride. But not us.”  Heads nodded in assent.  Perhaps they did remember they were once warriors.

Hannibal gestured to the obvious elephant in the room. "I would march these war elephants to the very heart of Rome!  I would crest the Alps, attack the Empire, and bring it crashing to its knees!” he roared, “And upon its fallen pillars, I would build a new empire!  A Carthaginian Empire!”

His words stoked a dormant fire in his commanders’ hearts.  Jawlines were set, eyes were as steel.  Perhaps it would only be for a moment, but that was all Hannibal needed, for them to believe in their own power once again.

He took a step forward and threw his hands in the air, as if to welcome all the gathered soldiers to his cause.  “Queen Elissa’s vision founded our might city, Carthage.  My vision shall extend our power and found a new empire!”

“Rome will tremble!”

“Rome Will Fall!”

A roar of approval thundered through the hall.  Swords and spears were thrust into the air with bravado and fierceness.  Hannibal stepped back and smiled.  They did remember. Perhaps these soldiers could be heroes.

One voice rose timidly above the others.  It was the lieutenant again, who slowly got to his feet, meeker than before, and spoke. "But General Hannibal, no one has ever invaded the Empire before,” he whined. "And no one has ever conquered mighty Rome,” he trailed off.

Hannibal frowned in distaste at this show of cowardice.

“Then, on the backs of these noble beasts, we shall be the first!” Hannibal declared.