The Young Carthaginian 18

Study Guide Questions for Ch. 18 “Cannae”

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Grammar Questions: (The Information of the Text)

1. What is the “usual way” of dismounting an elephant while it is on its feet?

2. What, in summary, was Manon’s advice to Malchus?

3. What does Malchus state as his long term intentions for his life?

4. How does Malchus become rid of the spy that follows Nessus and him from Manon’s house?

5. Why was it necessary, according to the text, for Malchus and Nessus to procure “a store provisions” before landing in Italy?

6. What is the strongest evidence of Hannibal’s “popularity” and “influence” with and over his men?

7. What “unaccountable blunder” on the Romans’ part did Hannibal take advantage of?

8. What was the “effect” of Hannibal drawing up his army “with both wings resting on the river”?

9. What, according to G. A. Henty, is “unequalled in the records of history”?

10. How many men did the Romans lose in the battle of Cannae? How many did Hannibal lose?

Logic Questions: (Interpreting, Comparing/Contrasting, Reasoning)

1. What did Manon mean by saying, “Those whom the gods would destroy they first strike with madness”?

2. Why didn’t Malchus go into his cabin until the “anchor was weighed” and the boat left Carthage for Corinth?

3. What does it mean to say that Varro was “a course and brutal demagogue”? How might his family occupation be suggestive of his leadership?

4. Why do you think the Roman generals take turns leading the army like they do?

Rhetoric Questions: (The Analysis of Ideas in the Text)

1. What factors do you think most account for the fact that Romans were so utterly defeated at the battle of Cannae? What, in your judgment, might have made for a different outcome? How would you have advised them to proceed differently? Explain your answer.

Theological Analysis: (Sola Scriptura)

1. Read Romans 1:18-32. How might we relate this passage to what Manon said about the gods (or in this case the true God) striking people with madness whom they intend to destroy?

2. Read Psalm 115:4-8. How does this passage shed further light on how people ‘lose their minds’ when they pursue sin and are thereby destroyed?