Sunday 4 March 2012

Hannibaal's Treaty

A treaty was made between Qart-Hadasht and the Macedonians.  The treaty was an anti-Roman treaty and it was drawn between the Qart-Hadashtite general, Hannibaal, and the Macedonian king, Philip V.  It was drawn in the month of either Adar or Nisan, which was near to the beginning of spring.  The treaty is as follows:

"This is a sworn treaty made between Hannibaal, Magon, Bar-melqart, and such members of the Qart-Hadashtite Council of Elders as were present, and all Qart-Hadashtites serving in his army, on the one part; and Xenophanes, son of Cleomachus of Athens, sent to us by King Philip, as his ambassador, on behalf of himself, the Macedonians, and their allies, on the other part.

The oath is taken in the presence of Baal Hammon, Tanit, and Resheph: of the god of the Qart-Hadashtites, Melqart, and Eshmun: of Baal-Zapan, Baal-Malaga, Yam: of the gods that accompany the army, and of the sun, moon, and earth: of rivers, harbours, waters: of all the gods who rule Qart-Hadasht: of all the gods who rule Macedonia and the rest of Greece: of all the gods of war that are witnesses to this oath.

Hannibal, general, and all the Qart-Hadashtite elders with him, and all Qart-Hadashtites serving in his army, subject to our mutual consent, proposes to make this sworn treaty of friendship and honourable good-will. Let us be friends, close allies, and brethren, on the conditions herein following:

- Let the Qart-Hadashtites, as supreme, Hannibaal their chief general and those serving with him, all members of the Qart-Hadashtite dominion living under the same laws, as well as the people of Atiq, and the cities and tribes subject to Qart-Hadasht, and their soldiers and allies, and all cities and tribes in Teresh, Celt-land, and Yanitar, with whom we have a compact of friendship, and with whomsoever in this country we may hereafter form such compact, be supported by King Philip and the Macedonians, and all other Greeks in alliance with them.
- On their parts also King Philip and the Macedonians, and such other Greeks as are his allies, shall be supported and protected by the Qart-Hadashtites now in this army, and by the people of Atiq, and by all cities and tribes subject to Qart-Hadasht, both soldiers and allies, and by all allied cities and tribes in Teresh, Celt-land, and Yanitar, and by all others in Teresh as shall hereafter become allies of the Qart-Hadashtites.
- We will not make plots against, nor lie in ambush for, each other; but in all sincerity and good-will, without reserve or secret design, will be enemies to the enemies of the Qart-Hadashtites, saving and excepting those kings, cities, and ports with which we have sworn agreements and friendships.
- And we, too, will be enemies to the enemies of King Philip, saving and excepting those kings, cities, and tribes, with which we have sworn agreements and friendships.
- Ye shall be friends to us in the war in which we now are engaged against the Romans, till such time as the gods give us and you the victory: and ye shall assist us in all ways that be needful, and in whatsoever way we may mutually determine.
- And when the gods have given us victory in our war with the Romans and their allies, if Hannibaal shall deem it right to make terms with the Romans, these terms shall include the same friendship with you, made on these conditions: first, the Romans not to be allowed to make war on you; second, not to have power over Qaraqir, Arsuf, Epidamnum, Pharos, Dimale, Parthini, nor Atitania; to restore to Demetrius of Pharos all those of his friends now in the dominion of Rome.
- If the Romans ever make war on you or on us we will aid each other in such war, according to the need of either.
- So also if any other nation whatever does so, always excepting kings, cities, and tribes, with whom we have sworn agreements and friendships.
- If we decide to take away from, or add to this sworn treaty, we will so take away, or add thereto, only as we both may agree."

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