The Roman's Army: The Battle Of Hannibal

Hannibal was born in 247BCE, he was the son of a Carthaginian general named Hamilcar Barcareerred, who rallied his North African nation-state from defeat in the First Punic War (264–241 BC) to conquer much of Iberia. Hannibal grew up in military service, and following the 221 BC assassination of his brother-in-law Hasdrubal, who had replaced Hamilcar, Hannibal took charge of the Carthaginian army. He soon proved a brilliant field commander who applied his intellect and martial skills to the singular end of winning battles. Hannibal, a sworn enemy of all things Roman, declared war against them and this was the start of the Second Punic War (218–201 BC). Victory in Italy was Hannibal’s sole objective. To achieve it, he marched the bulk of his army in Iberia across southern Gaul and over the Alps into the Roman heartland. Hannibal’s strategy was to attack Rome. Although his tactics for battle were superior he had strategic failures which would eventually lead to his campaign in failure.

During the Second Punic War, Hannibal, was a terror to the Roman Republic. Remembered even today for his campaign, the hatred Hannibal felt for Rome was clearly seen on the battlefield. He plowed his way throughout modern day France and Italy, crushing his opponents (sometimes quite literally) under his army.

Hannibal was very successful in the numerous battles but he knew he would not take Rome. Hannibal turned to politics to gain the support of Rome's allies, but he did not receive enough. While Hannibal was moving through Italy Rome was preoccupied on another front. They had enter their Macedonian wars and were spread thin. For several years the two empire engaged in open battles, raids, and skirmishes. By 202 B.C., Hannibal's resources were depleted and he had no choice but to return and hold a defensive position against Rome. Rome regained a large amount of land through the peace treaty and Carthage lost the advantages they once

Carthage incentive was one the main factors that played into this specific battle (Cannae, 126). In the past and even the present, people in the military have various incentives to defeat their enemies; back in World War 2 we had many incentives for defeating the Germans and Japanese. These incentives included stopping genocide against the Jews in Germany, a

The Roman Army The Roman army is still admired today by historians and many others alike. How far advanced technologically the Romans were over 2000 years ago still amazes many people today. They built roads that a still used today, their baths

Many of the states of Italy that Rome had conquered a century before now joined Hannibal. This was a threat to Rome, so the Roman general Publius Cornelius Scipio took a Roman army to north Africa and then Hannibal went back to defend Carthage. In the battle at Zama, near Carthage, in 202 BC the Romans finally defeated Hannibal.

Battle Analysis: Julius Caesar’s failed Invasion of Britain in 55 BC Not only did Julius Caesar want to be seen as protecting Rome’s interests and as a conqueror of lands but also if he invaded Britain in 55 BC, it would put him in a good position politically in the Senate. However, he was more concerned with his own self-importance than to exercise proper battle planning and his first invasion of Britain in 55 BC was not a success.

Carthage was founded around 813 BCE by the Phoenician Queen Elissa also known as Dido. Originally the city was called Kart-hadasht, but the Greeks called it Karchedon and then the Romans changed it to Carthago. The city started off as only a small port on the coast used for short

The military prowess of Roman commanders and legionaries proved to be successful enough to turn a small community into an ancient super power. There are many discussions to be had about the tactics and success of the Roman army, some of which are: their style of fighting, the attitude toward the fight, and the fruits of their war.

Bloodshed So the war had begun, on both side there is a bit of advantage. The Romans have the advantage of being on the offense giving them a foot hole in Carthage. The Carthaginians also had an advantage. When the Carthaginians realized it was time for war they began preparing for siege. The got an advantage because the Roman army contracted disease during this time so Carthage had enough time to

After the defeat of Carthage, Romans were thirsty for violence. In ancient Rome, gladiators were of the most notorious people on the planet. Deranked from society, they still managed to maintain a high charisma and attained significant amounts of glory. While at camps, they underwent intense training, were treated like animals, and had all their rights stripped from them. But despite the cruelties, they were highly honored and were gifted various rewards and ceremonial banquets on the days before their gruesome battles. Also, the owners of gladiators or people involved in the trade, ensured that they were treated with at least some hospitality and ensured the well being of the fighters. Gladiators were depicted on artifacts throughout all of Rome. Women viewed gladiators as sexually attractive idols because of the bravery and strength they displayed in the arena. Even though a lot of women wanted to have children with those men because of their strength, but were not allowed to because gladiators were still characterized as nothing more than criminals and slaves; the lowest rank in society.

History has given the world many great military minds. In recent times the world has seen such men as Dwight D. Eisenhower, George Patton, Douglas MacArthur, and Erwin Rommel. From ancient times, schools teach about Alexander the Great, Napoleon Bonaparte, Scipio Africanus, and Germanicus. But few have accomplished the feats of Hannibal Barca in the Second Punic War. His major accomplishment, marching his army through the Pyrenees and the Alps and into what is now Italy, is a military accomplishment worth honoring. During his march, Hannibal defeated the Romans in three decisive battles; Trebia, Trasimene, and his most decisive and well fought victory at Cannae. When Hannibal finally arrived in Italy, he maintained an Army there for

The Roman empire is considered one of the most powerful and longest lasting empire of all time by most historians. At its peak the Roman empire managed to take control and rule nearly the whole inhabited world at the time. Though their military achievements were outstanding the Romans also excelled at legislature. The Romans ran a governmental system which was most like a republic which the power was in the hand of the senators and patricians. The senators and patricians were mostly extremely rich elders of the community who linked themselves to gods. Though the people were the ones who voted for the senators the rich always voted who they wanted because they were the first to vote which made the senate corrupt since the lower classes barely got a say. Although the Roman empire was extremely successful historians are always doing research to figure out what elements led to its collapse. However, the Roman legislature, use of propaganda to sway public opinion, military power to conquer lands, and philosophy were essential reasons for the extended survival of the Roman empire.

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)

After Hannibal arrived in Africa, he engaged Scipio’s army in the last battle of the war. Hannibal attempted to repeat his Cannae tactics, but the Roman cavalry was too skilled. The Carthaginian army was defeated at the town of Zama on October 19, 202. The resulting peace treaty between Carthage and Rome demanded among other things Hannibal’s resignation as a general. Hannibal became a consul in the government and restored Carthage to a modest democracy. However, in 195 the Roman senate discovered a plan made by Hannibal to invade Italy again. He just did not want to give up. When he found out that his plans had been found out Hannibal fled from Carthage to Syria. Syria was at war with Rome and because of this he was given a small naval command, but was defeated. Then he fled to Bithynia in 184 and became an admiral. However, Rome intervened, and Hannibal poisoned himself in 183 to avoid