Hannibal. Tlie latter knew too well the motive of ihis embassy,
and therefore determined not to give his enemies the opportunity
of delivertnpp him up. Ue at first attempted bis security by fiight,
but perceiving that the seven secret outlets, which he bad con-
trived tn his paiace, were all seized by the soldiers of Prusias, who,
by this treacherous action, lioped to ingratiate himself with the
Komans, he ordered poison, « hidi he had long kept for this mel-
ancholy occasion, to be brought him ; and taking it in his hand,
" Let us (said he) free the Romans from a disquietude, witli wiiich
they have been long tortured, since ihcy have not patience to vralt
for the death of a man, whom old age has already overtaken. Thn
victory, which Flaminius gains over a naked, betrayed man, Drill
not do him honour. This single day will be a lasting testimony of
the gfcat degeneracy of the Homans. Tlieir forefathers sent no.
tice to Pyrrhus, to caution him to guard against a traitor, who
intended fD poison him, and that at a time when this prince was
engaged in an obstinate war against them, in the very heart of Italy;
but their inglorious sons have deputed a person Tsf consular dignity
to spirit up Prusias impiously to murder one, Who is not only bis
guest but his friend.*'

After calling down curses upon Prusias, and invoking the gods*
the protectors and avengers of the sacred rights of hospitality^ he
swallowed the poison, and died in the seventieth year of his a^e,
being burled at Libyssa* in the territories of the Nicom^dians.
