Summary
Within the fortified city of Carthage, a diverse assembly of mercenaries gathers in the lush gardens of Hamilcar. This formidable gathering includes Ligurians, Lusitanians, North African barbarians, Romans, Greeks, Gauls, and Egyptians. A lavish feast is being prepared for these warriors, their senses tantalized by the aromas wafting from the kitchens. The Council of Elders contributes numerous oxen to be roasted over open flames, fueling the anticipation among the men, who, weary from both defeat by the Romans and the journey across the Mediterranean, await eagerly for the festivities to commence.
Unpaid Mercenaries
However, a palpable discontent simmers among the mercenaries due to unpaid wages. Despite repeated assurances from Hamilcar, their esteemed leader, payment remains elusive. The city elders, cautious and frugal, fear the potential threat posed by this large, fierce foreign contingent. Offers of partial payment are met with anger and refusal from the mercenaries.
Descent into Chaos
As the celebration reaches its peak, many soldiers, emboldened by wine, begin to plunder Hamilcar's palace. In a secluded lake encircled by dense hedges, they discover fish adorned with jewels in their gills. With gleeful ruthlessness, they strip the gems and cook the sacred fish. Slaves bring forth fresh provisions and barrels of wine for the already inebriated soldiers. Suddenly, Salammbô, the moon goddess's priestess and Hamilcar's daughter, appears on a high balcony. Her breathtaking beauty captivates the unruly crowd, and she casts a curse upon them, lamenting Carthage's plight in a sorrowful chant.
Entranced Observers
Among those mesmerized by Salammbô, Narr' Havas stands out. The Numidian chief, in Carthage at his father's behest to serve Hamilcar, beholds her for the first time. Equally smitten is Mathô, a towering Libyan who despite only hearing tales of Salammbô, harbors an intense affection for her. Accompanying Mathô is Spendius, a cunning former Greek slave who cleverly manipulates the situation to his advantage, continually praising Salammbô's allure to his master.
A False Promise
To placate the restless mercenaries, the elders promise each soldier a gold piece if they agree to relocate to Sicca and await further payment. Lured by gold and solemn promises, the mercenaries and barbarians embark on the journey to Sicca. Although skeptical of the elders' assurances, their leaders anticipate better treatment upon Hamilcar's return to Carthage.
Languishing in Sicca
In Sicca, Mathô is consumed by his unrequited love, languishing in his tent all day. With no hope of seeing Salammbô again, he falls into despair. Meanwhile, Spendius deftly exploits Mathô’s inertia, ingratiating himself further with his master.
A Tumultuous Assembly
The corpulent Hanno arrives at Sicca in grand style, transported in a luxurious litter. As a member of the Council of Elders, he attempts to persuade the gathered crowd of Carthage's intention to pay them later and urges their return home. Speaking in Punic, his message falls on deaf ears, as the Gauls, Campanians, and others don't comprehend his words. Opportunistically, Spendius leaps forward to "translate," falsely claiming that Hanno is insulting their gods. The crowd erupts in anger, and Hanno narrowly escapes with his life.
March on Carthage
Enraged, the mercenaries march towards Carthage, intent on besieging it with Mathô, Narr' Havas, and now Spendius leading the charge. They set up camp outside the city's gates. In response, Carthage dispatches the renowned warrior Gisco to negotiate. Carthaginians, anxious without Hamilcar, muster some funds to start paying the soldiers, but the process is slow. Gisco’s resources are limited, and more mercenaries claim payment than warranted.
A Daring Plan
As tensions escalate, Spendius proposes a bold scheme to Mathô. He claims to have discovered an entry into the city, with the added...
(This entire section contains 1177 words.)
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promise of bringing Mathô to Salammbô if he assists with Spendius's personal mission. Outside Carthage’s walls, Spendius identifies a loose stone over the aqueduct, the city's water supply. Mathô, with his immense strength, removes the stone, and the two of them navigate the water's path under the cover of darkness, arriving at an internal reservoir. There, Spendius reveals their objective: to steal the zaïmph, the revered veil of the moon goddess Tanit. Carthaginians place their faith in Tanit, whose power is believed to reside in the veil, so Spendius hopes to dispirit the city. Although Mathô hesitates at desecrating the sacred, his desire to see Salammbô compels him to go along with the plan.
Theft of the Sacred Zaïmph
Seizing the opportunity while the guards sleep, Mathô and Spendius infiltrate Tanit's sanctuary, and Mathô takes the veil. Quietly, Spendius guides the trembling Mathô, now wearing the revered garment, into Salammbô’s quarters.
Confrontation and Escape
Approaching her bed with declarations of love, Mathô awakens the startled Salammbô, who raises the alarm. Servants rush in, but with the sacred veil upon him, Mathô remains untouchable. Escaping unharmed, he returns to the barbarians with his prize.
The Siege Dissolves
Hamilcar's timely return to Carthage organizes a defense, breaking the siege. Facing starvation, the mercenaries move on to Utica in search of supplies. Utica, eager to challenge Carthage, provides aid to its adversaries. Now replenished and better equipped, the mercenary host poses a greater threat. Nevertheless, Hamilcar leads his troops from Carthage to engage them on the plain. Though outnumbered, the disciplined Carthaginians hold their ground, resulting in several skirmishes without a decisive outcome. Eventually, a fortunate turn of events finds Hamilcar's army encircled by the barbarian forces.
Retrieving the Sacred Veil
Driven by a sense of duty instilled by the high priest, Salammbô sets out to recover the sacred veil. Disguised and guided, she infiltrates the enemy camp, determined to do whatever it takes to reclaim the zaïmph. Entering Mathô's tent, she requests the veil, which is displayed among his war trophies. Mathô, stunned, professes his love fervently. Remembering the priest's command, Salammbô acquiesces to Mathô's advances. As he sleeps, she takes the veil and returns undetected to her father's camp.
A Tragic Conclusion
Upon noticing the broken chain around her ankles, Hamilcar is consumed with shame and promises Salammbô's hand to Narr' Havas, who has defected from the barbarians to support Hamilcar. Their wedding ceremony is postponed until Hamilcar's foes are defeated. Despite the ongoing siege by the barbarians, Hamilcar pulls back to Carthage, and Spendius attempts to break the aqueduct, inducing thirst and famine within the city. When plague strikes, the children of Carthage are sacrificed to Moloch, and the rains eventually save them.
With his allies' support, Hamilcar gradually diminishes the opposing forces. A large contingent is trapped in a mountain pass and left to starve, leading to Mathô's capture.
The Final Act
On Salammbô and Narr' Havas's wedding day, a tortured Mathô is paraded through the city, still alive but severely mutilated. He collapses at the feet of Salammbô, recalling his tender words to her. As Narr' Havas, intoxicated, embraces Salammbô in a gesture of possession and toasts Carthage's grandeur, she lifts her cup in a toast only to fall lifelessly upon the wedding platform. Thus ends the tragic story of the warrior and the priestess, doomed by their desecration of Tanit's sacred robe.
