Hannibal and the Second Punic War

1405 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: punic war analysis

Hannibal, son of Hamilcar, was a Carthaginian military commander and tactician who is popularly credited as one of the most talented military commander in history. In his early life he was made to swear oath of hatred against Rome, which lead him into starting the Second Punic war. During this time he transformed Carthage from being a lowly place into a military superpower. Although he lost the war, his tactics were far beyond any other person at the time, which had won him many battles even when the odds were stacked against him.
Hannibal was born in 247 BCE in Carthage, located in North Africa. When he was born, Carthage was about to lose The first Punic War. “His father Hamilcar Barca was the leading Carthaginian commander during the First Punic War”(ancient.eu.com 1). Before the first Punic War, the city had been a growing seaport and had possessed many wealthy provinces. After the war, Rome’s victory took Sicily from Carthage, which was one of its most important provinces Carthage had. During the Carthage civil war, Rome took Sardinia and Corsica as well. These events all left a great impression on Hannibal as a child.
Hannibal was the eldest son of Hamilcar Barca, Who commanded the Carthaginian military at the time. Because of this, Hamilcar made Hannibal swear a blood oath of hatred towards Rome. When Hannibal’s father died in 229 BCE, Hamilcar’s son in law, Hasdrubal, took command of the military of Carthage. During the time he was commander, he made Hannibal an officer in the Carthaginian army. In 221 BCE, Hasdrubal was killed and the Carthaginian soldiers unanimously chose Hannibal as their next commander, a decision that was later approved by their government. “At age 26, Hannibal was given command of an army and imm...

... middle of paper ...

...hern Europe and the Alps Mountains against Rome in the Second Punic War”(biography.com 5). With such a momentous accomplishment under his belt, he is held among the greatest generals to have lived, along with Alexander the great, Pyrrhus of Epirus, Scipio, and Julius Caesar.
With his fathers influenced hatred of Rome, Hannibal started the second Punic War, wanting to make a world better for Carthage. He has become one the most well known and greatest military leaders to live. “Surely no man ever undertook a great work to his own sorrow, from more purely patriotic instincts, than this same Carthaginian” (Dodge 170). Hannibal was truly doing what he thought was best for his country of Carthage, and even though he lost the war, Hannibal has gone down in history and will always be remembered as one of the greatest strategist and tactician this world has ever known.

Show More
Related

  • To What Extent Was Julius Caesar A Hero

    617 Words  | 2 Pages

    Julius Caesar was very heroic to the Roman people. He did a wonderful job in conquering

    Read More

  • Hannibal: Africa’s Tactical Genius

    1192 Words  | 3 Pages

    Hannibal is, perhaps, most notable for moving from Iberia over the Pyrenees, across the Alps and into northern Italy with an estimated army of 38,000 soldiers and war elephants braving the harsh climate and terrain, the guerilla tactics of the native tribes and commanding an extremely lingual-diverse army. He was a distinguished tactician, able to determine his opponent’s strengths and weaknesses, and coordinate his battles accordingly. He also wasn’t above making allies when the time called for it, winning over many allies of Rome in the process during his 15-year invasion before a Roman counter-invasion of North Africa forced ...

    Read More

  • How Is Hannibal A Ethical Leader?

    1814 Words  | 4 Pages

    Although a genius on the battlefield, where he used surprise and maneuver to overcome the relatively small size of his force, I do not believe that Hannibal was an ethical leader. He did not always exhibit the essential intellectual traits of critical thinking, nor did he always enforce ethical standards. To clarify, Hannibal’s vision was for independence for territories. But based on some of his actions, the concept of ‘freedom for all’ was not a part of that vision. Hannibal exhibited the trait of intellectual hypocrisy; he didn’t hold himself to the same standards that he fought for when he was faced the ethical dilemma of feeding, equipping, and paying his troops for their service; or selling Roman captives into slavery. In an effort to take care of his men, he succumbed to the latter, after the failed attempt to negotiate a ransom with Rome. And so, Roman captives were sold to a local slave trader (Commire & Klezmer, 1994). Perhaps, he fell prey to ethical relativism, using this ethical trap as a way to justify the inconsistency between his thoughts and his actions. Or maybe he didn’t care; but we’ll never know. What we do know is that this lack of intellectual integrity is opposite of the behavior that is required of an ethical leader (CF03SG, 2013, p. 7). Most assuredly, his actions confused his team of warriors, and affected their view of his professional character, especially since non-Roman captives had been released to their respective countries.

    Read More

  • Harry S. Truman and Julius Caesar Research Paper

    904 Words  | 2 Pages

    There have been many leaders throughout history, but two leaders that are most well known are Harry S. Truman and Julius Caesar. Both of them are remembered as great leaders who served in the military and had large military influence. When someone thinks of Harry S. Truman they will more than likely think of the two atomic bombs dropped on Japan, or the close relationship he always maintained between himself and his family. Some may remember Truman only because of the wars he had the United States involve in during his presidency, but overall he is seen as one of the best leaders that America has ever had.On the other hand when one remembers Julius Ceasar they think of backstabbing, a shakespearean play, and a tyrant who only wished to wage war to benefit himself. Unlike Truman, Caesar is not remembered as much of a leader but more for the wars he raged and how he looked on himself as immortal. This paper will overview both Truman and Caesar’s life before they ruled, their military experience, and the political influences they had while leading over their countries. Julius Caesar may be well known for his brilliance on the battlefield, but his overall leadership abilities comes no where near those of Harry Truman.

    Read More

  • Evaluation of Hannibal as a General

    2870 Words  | 6 Pages

    According to Lazenby, to do. What Hannibal did required "great strategic skill, tactical ingenuity. and sheer force of personality"[3]. I will consider where these characteristics came from and how he used these characteristics to his advantage in the Second Punic War. After Hasdrubal was assassinated, Hannibal became general of the Carthaginian army in Spain.

    Read More

  • Carthage vs. Rome; the Punic Wars

    2042 Words  | 5 Pages

    As what happens so often, history is written by the side who wins and in the case of the Punic Wars and Carthage itself most of the information available today comes from Roman sources and authors whose knowledge has been passed down through the ages. According to legend Carthage was initially settled as a Phoenician trading colony (the word “Punic” is Latin for Phoenician) in 813 B.C by the Phoenician Queen Elissa (Mark). From Carthage’s prime location as a trade port its power and prestige grew rather quickly and its expansion brought the city into conflict with another growing ambitious city state called Rome.

    Read More

  • The First Punic War (264-241 BCE)

    912 Words  | 2 Pages

    Since the beginning of time, man has waged war on his neighbors, his friends and his enemies. In many cases these wars were caused by power-hungry nations that were in the process of expanding their empire and ended up stepping on the toes of another superpower or ally of a superpower. In the case of the first Punic War between Rome and Carthage, Carthage was extending its empire and they stepped on Rome’s toes. During the course of this war the winner was unclear but at times victory seemed eminent for both sides until Rome finally won. The Romans had control in the first part of the war but this would not last. After the Romans first win they decided that they needed a victory over the city of Carthage but this would turn the tides in favor of the Carthaginians. For some 15 years after this defeat of Rome the tides went back and forth between the two but would eventually lead to the Romans victory. After the victory, Rome made some very harsh demands and Carthage filled those demands even though some of them were very extreme.

    Read More

  • Caesar's Triumvirate: Foundation of the Roman Empire

    961 Words  | 2 Pages

    By forming a Triumvirate with Octavian Lepidus and Antony; Caesar created another power of three potentates (Ferrill, 2). Only this one was sanctioned by the Roman Senate. He never forgot about the people of Rome and forming relationships along the way, Caesar accomplished great exploits. He provided the groundwork for the Roman expansion of the empire. His brilliance in positioning his armies in the right place at the exact right times, Caesar had his name on just about anything to do with the expansion process. The Roman empire worked its way into Europe and Great Britain. Egypt turned out to be a sore spot for the power of three. Cleopatra offered herself to both Caesar and Antony and sparked an incredible rivalry that ended in suicide

    Read More

  • Hannibal vs. Rome

    792 Words  | 2 Pages

    even today for his campaign, the hatred Hannibal felt for Rome was clearly seen on the

    Read More

  • Julius Caesar Death Essay

    1082 Words  | 3 Pages

    Julius Caesar is remembered as one of the greatest military minds in history and credited with arranging the basis for the Roman Empire. Caesar’s military brilliance bought Rome more land and more power, which led into the increase of size and strength of Rome. Caesar’s dictatorship helped the strength in Rome. Julius Caesar was assassinated which lead to a monarchy that was ruled by Octavin. Caesar’s death caused an effect to the collapse of the Roman Empire. Many people today in the 21st century try and follow the greatness of Julius Caesar. The assassination of Julius Caesar was a tragedy with the contributions Caesar made to strengthen Rome’s success.

    Read More

  • Hannibal Barca

    791 Words  | 2 Pages

    Hannibal Barca was born in 247 B.C. in the city of Carthage, which was located in modern Tunis, or the northern tip of Africa. His father, Hamilcar Barca, was a great Carthaginian general of the army who fought in the First Punic War between Rome and Carthage, which the latter lost. At a very young age, Hamilcar made Hannibal promise “eternal hatred towards Rome” (Lendering, 1). At around age nine, Hannibal accompanied his father on an expedition to gain a hold in Spain. During this time was when Hannibal probably gained most of his military knowledge that helped him greatly later in life. When Hannibal’s father and older brother died in 229 and 226, Hannibal was elected commander-in-chief of the Carthaginian army. About ten years later, Hannibal, acting on his promise to his father, attacked the city of Sagantum in Spain, which was controlled by the Romans. This attack led to the start of the Second Punic War between Carthage and Rome.

    Read More

  • The Effect Of Emperor Augustus Caesar's Effect On Western Civilization

    702 Words  | 2 Pages

    Augustus Caesar was very ambitious leader. He is best known for bringing peace to Rome. Augustus was considered the first great roman emperor, because He didn’t care about wealth and fortune. Augustus cared about the people of Rome. He was a great military leader and was successful in most of his missions. He showed people that being a good ruler requires a lot of hard work and dedication. He was a very generous man. Augustus was greatly admired by the Roman people.

    Read More

  • Caesars Conquest Of Gaul

    2383 Words  | 5 Pages

    Gaius Julius Caesar, born 100 B.C.E. in Rome to the impoverished patrician Julian Clan, knew controversy at an early age. Nephew to Populare Gaius Marius, he was earmarked by the Optimate dictator Sulla for prosciption after his refusal to divorce his Populare wife, Cinna. Fleeing Rome, and not returning until after Sulla’s resignation in 78 B.C.E, upon his return he gained a position as a pontificate, an important Roman priesthood. Slowly but surely throughout his lifetime he worked his way up the political ladder, eventually becoming Consul, and finally Dictator Perpeteus – Dictator for life. One of the most influential political and military leaders of all time, Caesar was also a highly intelligent man and an exceptional orator. However, acquiring this absolute power was no mean feat, and Caesar had well equipped himself through previous expeditions with all the resources necessary to gain power in Ancient Rome.

    Read More

  • Hannibal

    1041 Words  | 3 Pages

    Hannibal, a Carthaginian general and one of the greatest generals that ever lived was renown for his strategies and courageousness, such as crossing the Alps and using the "bottleneck strategy" at Lake Trasemene. He used strategies that a lot of generals at this time, especially Roman generals, would never think of and in doing this he almost destroyed the Roman republic.

    Read More

  • Hannibal Lecter

    1389 Words  | 3 Pages

    Hannibal Lecter was born in Lithuania in 1933 to a family of artistocrats. His younger sister, Mischa, lived with Hannibal in their mother and father’s castle. The family appeared to be well adjusted, loving, nurturing. It becomes apparent very early on how dearly he cares about his sister, Mischa. When World War II broke out, Lithuania became a battle ground for warring Soviets and Germans. Hannibal’s family fled to a cottage in the woods in attempts to avoid being caught in the cross-fire. Their attempts to stay safe would prove unsuccessful. Hannibal’s mother and father die in a battle between the Soviets and Germans. Hannibal and little Mischa witnessed both the deaths of the parents, in addition to plane/foot battles between soldiers. At this point, Hannibal assumes responsibility to care for himself and his little sister. Soon after, a group of Russian soldiers invades the cottage, taking Hannibal and Mischa captive. The soldiers searched the house for food, but were unsuccessful in their search. Famine began to take over the group of soldiers, at which point they realize Mischa has pneumonia and will likely die soon. The men suggest to kill and eat the girl. The soldiers drug his little sister outside, where they slaughtered and devoured her. Hannibal managed to escape, and was placed in an orphanage until his teenage years.

    Read More

More about Hannibal and the Second Punic War

Open Document