Hannibal

General Hannibal of Carthage is often called the “Father of Strategy.” His march over the Alps is one of the most famous attacks in military history. Hannibal defeated the Roman Army many times, until his defeat to Scipio, a Roman general, in 202 BC. Hannibal is important to history because of his skillful battle tactics. He was one of the best generals of ancient times. Because of his tactics, he was able to defeat Roman armies on many occasion. He was not only a good leader, but also a good government official. He led the Carthage government after Carthage’s defeat in the second Punic war.

Hannibal was born 247 BC, the son of Hamilcar Barca, a General of the Carthaginian Army. Hannibal’s training as a military leader began at the age of nine when he traveled to Spain to be with his father. At Hamilcar’s request, Hannibal pledged an oath of hatred towards the Roman Empire. The oath was in response to Carthage’s loss 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. Hasdrubal lead the army for seven years until his assassination in 2

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Many historians argue that Hannibal’s biggest mistake was not attacking Rome after this victory. After the victory, many Indian tribes allied with the Carthaginian army. Under his leadership Carthage made a rapid recovery. The

Romans saw this as a violation of the existing treaty between Rome and Carthage and demanded the surrender of Hannibal. In the spring of 217 BC Hannibal won the battle of Lake Trasimene. Hannibal escaped to Bithynia in 184 BC in northern Asia Minor. After his victory Hannibal crossed the Apennines and invaded the Roman provinces of Picenu, and Apulia and then marched into Campania. They also did this so he would stop attacking the Roman cities. By 219 BC, he had reached the Ebro River and controlled everything south of the river, except for the city of Saguntum, an ally of Rome. Syracuse,an ally to Rome, left the Roman cause to join Hannibal. Unknown to Hannibal, the Romans planned on him going back to Carthage so they could attack him in his own land. Hannibal spent the winter of 217 BC in the Apulian plains During the following summer, Hannibal faced a 54,000 strong Roman army. They say he should have attacked Rome when it was in this weak state, and he was so powerful. He captured Tarentum in 213 BC, and in 210 BC Hannibal lost many men in a battle at Herdoniae. Carthage surrendered to Rome and the Second Punic War was!

over.

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Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

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