Who is hannibal and who defeated him

But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! Subscribe for fascinating stories connecting the past to the present. By the time the First Punic War broke out, Rome had become the dominant power throughout the Italian He shrewdly combined military Julius Caesar was a renowned general, politician and scholar in ancient Rome who conquered the vast region of Gaul and helped initiate the end of the Roman Republic when he became dictator of the Roman Empire.

Despite his brilliant military prowess, his political skills and his The Roman politician and general Mark Antony 83—30 B. His romantic and political Known for his philosophical interests, Marcus Aurelius was one of the most respected emperors in Roman history. He was born into a wealthy and politically prominent family. Growing up, Marcus Aurelius was a dedicated student, learning Latin and Greek.

But his greatest Greek philosophy and rhetoric moved fully into Latin for the first time in the speeches, letters and dialogues of Cicero B. Plutarch, in his Life of Marcellus , concedes the Romans did not have enough men to defend the walls. The Romans transported supplies landed at Puteoli overland by road. Had he assaulted the capital after Trasimene, either as a genuine effort or as a feint, Rome would have been forced to recall some of its legions from abroad, exposing Sicily, Spain or Sardinia to a Carthaginian invasion.

The nearest available legions were on Sardinia—but those 70 Carthaginian warships lay between them and the mainland. Ticinus had cost the Romans upward of 2, men. The engagement at the Trebbia had claimed more than 25, Roman and allied soldiers. And at Trasimene, Hannibal had killed 15, more Roman troops, captured 6, and eliminated a major Roman commander; the Carthaginians had then ambushed a late-arriving Roman relief force, at a cost of 4, more men.

All told, Hannibal had killed or captured some 50, Roman soldiers, a number equal to 10 legions, nearly half of that number in a single week. And yet he did not attack Rome when he was at his strongest and Rome perhaps weaker than it would ever be again.

Simply put, Hannibal did not attack Rome because he did not think it necessary. In his view he had already conquered Rome by crushing its legions. Like most Carthaginian aristocrats of his day, Hannibal was a Hellene in his thinking, training and understanding of history. He saw grand strategy as relatively straightforward. The expectation that wars were ultimately settled by negotiation had become the norm in Hellenistic warfare, and it is reasonable to surmise that Hannibal accepted it as well.

His strategic plan was predicated upon the assumption that Rome would behave in the conventional Hellenistic manner once the contest of arms had been decided. Hannibal failed to understand the conservative culture and moralistic values that shaped the Roman view of war. It was this prodigious effort that permitted the republic to raise and maintain its armies in the field, whatever the cost.

It is estimated that nearly all fit male Roman citizens served in the army at some time or other during the war with Hannibal. For some periods as many as half of all eligible men were under arms.

Of a military manpower pool of , male citizens, fully , died in the war, and it is possible that some 80, of them died as the result of combat, the rest from disease, shipwreck or accidents. Hannibal was facing an enemy that simply did not give up and would not negotiate on his kind of terms. He should have learned that lesson from the aftermath of the Battle of Cannae in BC.

A Senate official met Carthalo outside the city walls and informed the Carthaginian he would not be received. Hannibal's Alps crossing was a remarkable military achievement. In addition to an inclement climate, Hannibal's army faced guerrilla attacks from Indigenous tribes who rolled heavy stones across their path. On the 15th day of the crossing, and more than five months away from Cartagena, Hannibal finally exited the Alps with just 20, infantry, 6, cavalry and all 37 elephants.

Over the next three years, Hannibal's army battled Scipio's forces for control of Italian territory. For most of this time, Hannibal fought with little aid from Carthage. He was able to inflict heavy casualties on the Roman army in the battles of Trebbia, Trasimene and Cannae, but at a heavy cost in men and many of his elephants. He was able to get within three miles of the capital before a stalemate ensued.

Hannibal did not have the numbers to successfully push into Rome, and Scipio didn't have the superior forces to defeat him. Meanwhile, Rome dispatched forces to Iberia and North Africa, raiding Carthaginian towns and villages. They used trumpets to stampede the remaining few elephants, which circled back and trampled the Carthaginian troops. Hannibal's army was scattered and many of his soldiers were gradually hunted down and killed by the Romans. The Roman terms for peace were extremely harsh on the Carthaginians, severely reducing their military and extracting large reparations.

After being elected a chief magistrate, Hannibal spent the next several years in Carthaginian politics. Culture Reference. Who was Hannibal? General Hannibal was one of the most creative military strategists in history. Carthage, hub of trade. Please be respectful of copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. Merchants in Carthage did a lively buisiness, buying and selling ivory, wine, p ottery, glass trinkets, and precious metals. Share Tweet Email. Read This Next Wild parakeets have taken a liking to London.

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