Hannibal of Carthage

Through out history there have been many great military leaders, Alexander the Great, Napoleon, Generals Washington, Grant and Charles Lewis Puller. The one however that sticks out the most is General Hannibal of Carthage. Often called the “Father of Strategy” his march over the Alps is one of the most famous attacks in military history. Hannibal beat the Roman Army time and time again before in suicide in 183 BC.

Hannibal was born 247 BC, the son of Hamilcar Barca, the current General of the Carthaginian Army. Hannibal’s training as a military leader began at the age of nine when he went to Spain to be with his father. At Hamilcar’s request Hannibal pledged an oath of hate towards the Roman Empire because of Carthages lost to the Romans in the First Punic War (261-241 BC). After Hamilcar's death in 228 BC, Hannibal’s brother in law, Hasdrubal, assumed command of the Carthaginian Army. Seven years, in 221BC, Hasdrubal was assassinated. In those years, during Hasdrubal’s command, Hannibal was the main officer to carry out all of Hasdrubal’s plans. Hannibal was the unanimous choice to lead the Carthaginian Army.

Hannibal sought to extend the Carthage domain further in

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Hannibal waged war in southern Italy for several years, captured Tarentum in 213 BC and in 210 gained victory at Herdoniae at a great expense to his men. After the crossing only 26,000 of his troops were still alive due to the harsh weather and skirmishes with the local tribes. He evaded a Roman force that was sent to intercept him.

With a new war upon him, Hannibal conjured up a plan of attack. Hannibal entered in to battle with Scipio Africanus the Elder.

With a peace agreement, Hannibal sought out to gage battle with the Romans. Hannibal circled around the Romans forcing them in to each other confusing the Romans, then easily destroyed then with his calvary. When Carthaginian government did not hand over Hannibal for his actions, the Romans declared war, also know as the Second Punic War. To make up for his losses, Hannibal recruited Gallic people of Northern Italy. Hannibal was recalled back to Carthage to help defend his brothers force form the Romans in southern Spain. Hannibal escaped to Bithynia in 148 BC in northern Asia Minor.

In December 218 BC Hannibal got victories against Romans and secured the Padus Valley. In 212 BC Syracuse fell under Roman attack and fell in three years. The Romans saw this as a violation of the existing treaty between Rome and Carthage and demanded the surrender of Hannibal. Rome once again demanded the surrender of Hannibal.

Approximate Word count = 820
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

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