Napoleon's Second-Punic War

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War has become a constant theme throughout human history, and during these wars rise certain individuals with gifted talent that allows them to defeat, and conquer those who oppose them for the protection or the expansion of their own country. Among the most popular, praised men are Alexander the Great for his conquest against Persia, Napoleon Bonaparte for his quick rise to power, and expertise in warfare, Hannibal Barca for his tactical genius during the battlefield, and Julius Caesar for his conquest in Gaul, and victory over the Roman civil war. But beneath the shadows of history lies an even greater general that even proves being shocking not being mentioned in Napoleon’s marxim “Read and reread the campaigns of Alexander, Turenne, Eugene, …show more content…

The man who caused it was Hannibal Barca. The main reason for Hannibal attacking Rome is still unclear where reasons range from the oath he swore to his father, Hamilcar, an act of revenge. (B.H. Lidell Hart, Scipio Africanus: Greater Than Napoleon)There is no clear evidence that the oath occurred, but the main motive of revenge is reasonable to conclude as Rome’s terms of victory after the 1st Punic War caused Carthage to lose the Mediterranean sea trade, leaving Carthage to become a 2nd power country. Having nowhere to expand in the North, Hamilcar sought to increase Carthage’s influence in Spain (Hispaniola). After the siege that Hannibal laid in Saguntum in 218 B.C. (Adrian Goldsworthy; The Fall of Carthage) Rome declared war, and the 2nd Punic War began where Hannibal knew that a victory against Rome would immortalize him, bring him fame, and glory. Another reason for Hannibal’s audacious invasion in Rome, but most importantly, it would determine the significance of Carthage, and its ability to survive in the later years. Same thing can be said for …show more content…

Although there were other Roman defeats such as in Trasimene, this particular battle affected Rome the most because Hannibal defeated the largest army Rome had ever assembled outnumbering Hannibal’s army two to one. Meanwhile in 214 BC to 211BC, the Scipio’s (Father and uncle of Scipio Africanus) were fighting a campaign in Hispaniola trying to break Hannibal’s supply lines. Unfortunately they were killed. One fell due to the Iberians retreat against the Carthiginians. This left the Carthaginians complete freedom to roam Hispaniola allowing Hannibal the Carthaginians to send supplies to Hannibal in

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