shock of lances; the Celtiberians used their terrible iron shafts before their short, curved sabers. Horsemen made up an unusually large part of the moving host.
The Libyan and Berber infantry marched at pace, closed up on the trails, wearing their iron plates of armor, but with leather helmets and long shields slung to the spears on their shoulders. These infantrymen were a threat because of their speed; they could overtake clumsier horsemen, or escape from them at will.
Near the heavy infantry columns wandered light-footed bands of Balearians - "The Throwers" - with leather slings of three different lengths coiled over shoulders or waists. Their missiles consisted of fireballs of flaming pitch, or heavy lead balls that could break bronze shields. Like the Spaniards, they were fiercely independent of rule.
Considering how diverse this army was, it was amazing that Hannibal could control them:
