[The following takes place in the early days of Hannibal’s campaign through Italy during the Second Punic War. Here, he had enticed many Celtic tribes to break their alliances with Rome and join his side. Since they had come over to his forces so recently, however, he took precautions against a possible assassination (which never materializes).]
During this winter Hannibal also tried a characteristically Punic deception. He was well aware of the fickleness of the Celts, and because it was only very recently that he had established friendly relations with them he was on his guard against attempts on his life.
He therefore had a number of wigs made, each of which created the impression of a man of a different age, and these he constantly changed, while at the same time dressing in a style which matched the wig. In this way he made it difficult to recognize him, not only for those who caught no more than a passing glimpse of him, but even for those who knew him well.
Source:
Polybius, et al. “The Second Punic War.” The Rise of the Roman Empire. Penguin, 2003. 245. Print.
Further Reading:
Second Punic War / Hannibalic War / War Against Hannibal
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