Salammbô · Chapter
XII: The Aqueduct explained
The Mercenaries besiege Carthage, and Spendius executes a daring plan to infiltrate the aqueduct.
What happens
The Mercenaries besiege Carthage, and Spendius executes a daring plan to infiltrate the aqueduct. Meanwhile, Hamilcar struggles with political and military setbacks, including the defection of Tyrian towns and the loss of Sardinia. The Barbarians, after a series of brutal acts including the murder of Gisco, march on Hippo-Zarytus, while Hamilcar demands reinforcements and prepares for a ruthless continuation of the war.
Themes in this chapter
War and Destruction
The siege of Carthage, the sabotage of the aqueduct, and the brutal execution of Gisco highlight the relentless violence and devastation of war.
Power and Corruption
Hanno's jealousy and political maneuvering undermine Hamilcar's efforts, reflecting the corrupting influence of power within Carthage's leadership.
Colonialism and Rebellion
The Tyrian towns' defection to the Barbarians and the Sardinian mercenaries' revolt illustrate the collapse of Carthaginian colonial control.
Characters to notice
- Spendius
Plans and executes the infiltration of the aqueduct, using stealth and a bow to kill a sentry.
- Matho
Leads the Barbarians; experiences emotional turmoil upon seeing Carthage and thinking of Salammbô.
- Hamilcar Barca
Struggles with political opposition from Hanno, demands reinforcements, and resolves to be pitiless after the Barbarians' retreat.
- Hanno
Commands a separate army but acts out of jealousy, hampering Hamilcar's efforts; eventually recalled to Carthage.
- Zarxas
Accompanies Spendius to the aqueduct; later beheads Gisco and hurls his head toward the Carthaginians.
- Gisco
Captured and brutally executed by the Barbarians; his head is thrown into the Punic camp.
- Narr'Havas
Dismissed by Hamilcar to guard the borders of his kingdom.
- Magdassin
Hanno's lieutenant; surrounds Utica but flees when the Barbarians arrive.
Key passages
“The Mercenaries, taught by their defeats, would not risk themselves in useless engagements; and on both sides there was no haste, for it was well known that a terrible action was about to open, and that the result of it would be complete victory or complete extermination.”
Both sides, having learned from past losses, avoided unnecessary skirmishes, knowing that the coming battle would decide total victory or annihilation.
Sets the tense, fatalistic atmosphere before the siege.
“Spendius had raised one of the flagstones and, entering the water, had closed it behind him. Calculating the distance by the number of his steps, he arrived at the exact spot where he had noticed an oblique fissure; and for three hours until morning he worked in continuous and furious fashion.”
Spendius lifted a stone slab, slipped into the water, and sealed it shut. Counting his steps, he found the crack he had seen earlier and labored relentlessly for three hours until dawn.
Describes Spendius's methodical and determined sabotage of the aqueduct.
“He took his head, and, resting it upon his knee, sawed it off with rapid strokes; it fell; to great jets of blood made a hole in the dust.”
He placed Gisco's head on his knee and quickly sawed it off; it dropped, and two spurts of blood carved a hollow in the dust.
Graphic depiction of Gisco's execution, emphasizing the barbarity of the conflict.
