It is their greed and corruption which place such burdens on your backs.
They claim that they are generous.

It is easy to be generous with the money of which they have plundered you; but let them know your will, and they must bend before it.

Tell them that you will have Hannibal and none other as the general of your armies, and Spain is secure, and year by year your commerce with that country will increase and flourish." A roar of assent arose from the crowd.

At the same instant a tumult was heard at the lower entrance to the forum, and the head of a dense body of men was seen issuing from the street, with shouts of "Hanno forever!" They were headed by the butchers and tanners, an important and powerful body, for Carthage did a vast trade in leather.
For a time they bore all before them, but the resistance increased every foot they advanced.

The shouts on both sides became louder and more angry.