Hannibal: Rome's Greatest Enemy

and the Roman Republic fought the second Punic War for control of the lands bordering the Mediterranean Sea, considered the entire civilized world at the time. The battles of the second Punic War show Hannibal Barca to be not only the greatest military leader of his age, but perhaps one of the greatest generals of all time. By examining one of Hannibal’s most spectacular victories, the paradigm for a battle of annihilation, military professionals can learn how the Roman commanders might have defeated

Rise of the Roman Empire The legend about Rome’s origins puts the founding of the city at around 735 B.C. It is said that a Vestal Virgin gave birth to twin boys, Romulus and Remus, and claimed that they were the sons of the god Mars. The Vestal Virgin was the sister of a king. The king believed that she was lying and imprisoned her. He put her two boys in a basket and threw it into the Tiber River. A she-wolf found the twins and raised them. The twins, Romulus and Remus, came back and killed the

textuality: the fallacy of Hannibal Hannibal continues to fascinate, considered one of the greatest generals of ancient times, the ever-growing bibliography on the Carthaginian general is an indicator of the impact of his legacy which even after hundreds of Years still captures the imagination of scientists and historians alike. IL therefore be discussing the various insights which might be acquired from reading Cornelius Nepos vita Hannibal. Background Hannibal (also known as Hannibal Barca, 247-183 BCE)

Rome’s main military opposition was Carthage, a kingdom located on the northern coast of Africa. Carthage and Rome fought in a series of three wars known as the Punic Wars. The second Punic War, fought from 218-202 BC was led by Hannibal on the Carthaginian side and Quintus Fabius Maximus Verrucosus with Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus on the Roman side. The Battle of Lake Trasimene 217 BC was a major battle in the Second Punic War. Under Hannibal, the Carthaginian army defeated the Romans, who

started 52 years after the end of the second Punic War. All three wars were won by Rome, which automatically emerged as the greatest military power in the Mediterranean Sea. The hostility of Carthage impelled Rome to build up its large army and create a strong navy just like the one Carthage had. Strong military leaders of the war for Carthage and his sons Hasdrubal and Hannibal. Rome’s outstanding leaders were Scipio Africanus. Belief holds that Phoenician settlers from the Mediterranean port of Tyre discovered

model—heavy armor, large shield, spear, and sword” (Cartwright, 2016). The Carthaginians had access to the war elephant, which they used “in front of the infantry lines to disrupt enemy formations and to harass the enemy from the wings or rear” (Cartwright, 2016). The elephants helped their forces cause panic amongst their enemy, giving the Carthaginians an

In both ancient and modern interpretations and perceptions, Hannibal is infamous for leading the Carthaginian army and a squadron of elephants athwart the Southern European region and the Alps Mountains against the Roman Empire, who were manifested as the most powerful army, in the Second Punic War. Hannibal is overly expressed and given light to throughout his career and conquest in Italy by prominently well-renowned historians, including: Titus Livy, who was considered as the least reliable source

to the great Roman army. The Roman army was the greatest fighting forces of its time and to this day it remains as a model for many armies of modern times. In its time, the Roman army wreaked havoc among its enemies. It was the most feared army of any nation. Only the bravest generals dared to challenge the Romans. The Romans won so many wars due to the fact that they had some of the greatest weapons, generals, and tactics. The Roman army’s greatest strength was its strong legions. The cavalry was

THESIS STATEMENT Although he was questioned and is criticized, Hannibal Barca made the correct decision by not directly attacking the city of Rome. A commander under Hannibal, Marhabal, was greatly mistaken when he openly attacked Hannibal’s decision to refrain from attacking Rome. PURPOSE STATEMENT Through research and analysis of historical events, it is apparent that a direct attack on the city of Rome would have been ultimately futile, and quite possibly self-destructive. INTRODUCTION In

Topic: War strategies and tactics used by Hannibal Research Question: To what extent does Hannibal utilize the the battle strategies in Sun Tzu’s Art of War (Rough Draft) “The art of war is of vital importance to the State. It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected.” War is an art that reveals the true strength of a leader. Sun Tzu; the author of the indispensable handbook that has occupied kings