The film without the cuts. And the book itself.
Splendour becomes the medium of violence.
Salammbô
A richly adorned young woman descends above a drunken army with a chain regulating the length of her steps.
Carthage
A rich walled city watches its own hired soldiers gather outside to destroy it.
Unpaid soldiers turn victory into grievance, and Carthage risks breeding its own destroyers.
Read →The Mercenaries' Indignation
In proportion as their intoxication increased they more and more recalled the injustice of Carthage. The Republic, in fact, exhausted by the war, had allowed all the returning bands to accumulate in the town. Gisco, their general, had however been prudent enough to send them back severally in order to facilitate the liquidation of their pay, and the Council had believed that they would in the end consent to some reduction. But at present ill-will was caused by the inability to pay them. This debt was confused in the minds of the people with the 3200 Euboic talents exacted by Lutatius, and equally with Rome they were regarded as enemies to Carthage. The Mercenaries understood this, and their indignation found vent in threats and outbreaks. At last they demanded permission to assemble to celebrate one of their victories, and the peace party yielded, at the same time revenging themselves on Hamilcar who had so strongly upheld the war. It had been terminated notwithstanding all his efforts, so that, despairing of Carthage, he had entrusted the government of the Mercenaries to Gisco. To appoint his palace for their reception was to draw upon him something of the hatred which was borne to them. Moreover, the expense must be excessive, and he would incur nearly the whole.
Drunkenness sharpens memory rather than blurring it: the more the mercenaries drink, the clearer their sense of being cheated becomes. They have fought Carthage's war and now find themselves lumped in with Rome, another debt the city resents having to pay. The Council's meanness runs deeper than money. When they finally allow the feast, they hold it at Hamilcar's palace partly to make him foot the bill and partly to smear him with the soldiers' bad name, punishing the man who had wanted the war they lost.
The Feast That Counts the Debt
Carthage lets its hired army drink in Hamilcar's gardens instead of paying them. Every cup they empty reminds them what they are owed.
The Zaïmph
The one thing no hand may touch now lies folded in an enemy's tent.
Mâtho
A colossal Libyan soldier stares upward through the feast while Salammbô stands beyond his reach.
Salammbô
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