of the state.
They did not act with the same zeal, nor expose themselves to dangers with
equal resolution, for a republic which they considered as foreign, and
which consequently was indifferent to them, as they would have done for
their native country, whose happiness constitutes that of the several
members who compose it.

In great reverses of fortune, the kings in alliance with the
Carthaginians(549) might easily be detached from their interest, either by
that jealousy which the grandeur of a more powerful neighbour naturally
excites; or by the hopes of reaping greater advantages from a new friend;
or by the fear of being involved in the misfortunes of an old ally.

The tributary nations, impatient under the weight and disgrace of a yoke
which had been forced upon their necks, generally flattered themselves
with the hopes of finding one less galling in changing their masters; or,
in case servitude was unavoidable, the choice was indifferent to them, as
will appear from many instances in the course of this history.

The mercenary forces, accustomed to measure their fidelity by the
largeness or continuance of their pay, were ever ready, on the least
discontent, or the slightest expectation of a more considerable stipend,
to desert to the enemy with whom they had just before fought, and to turn
their arms against those who had invited them to their assistance.

Thus the grandeur of the Carthaginians being sustained only by these
foreign supports, was shaken to the very foundation when they were once
taken away. And if to this there happened to be added an interruption of
their commerce, (which was their sole resource,) arising from the loss of
a naval engagement, they imagined themselves to be on the brink of ruin,
and abandoned themselves to despondency and despair, as was evidently seen
at the end of the first Punic war.

Aristotle, in the treatise where he shows the advantages and defects of
the government of Carthage, finds no fault with its keeping up none but
foreign forces; it is therefore probable, that the Carthaginians did not
fall into this practice till a long time after. But the rebellions which
harassed Carthage in its later years, out to have taught its citizens,
that no miseries are comparable to those of a government which is
supported only by foreigners; since neither zeal, security, nor obedience,
can be expected from them.

But this was not the case with the republic of Rome. As the Romans had