Hitherto they had been enabled to hold out to the present time by compensating for their misfortunes by their successes.
When the Roman power was laid prostrate at the Trasimenus and at Cannae in Italy, their successes in Spain had raised it up from its fallen condition.

Afterwards, when in Spain one disaster after another had in a great measure destroyed two armies, with the loss of two distinguished generals, the many successes in Italy and Sicily had, as it were, afforded a haven for the shattered state; and the mere interval of space, as one war was going on in the remotest quarter of the world, gave them time to recover their breath.

Whereas now two wars were received into Italy; two generals of the highest renown were besetting the Roman city; while the whole weight of the danger and the entire burden pressed upon one point.

Whichever of these generals should be first victorious, he would in a few days unite his camp with the other.

The preceding year also, saddened by the deaths of two consuls, filled them with alarm.