Hannibal and Scipio (Illustrated History of Ancient Rome

Hannibal and Scipio

The Second Punic War (218-201 BC) began in Spain where Carthage had created a great colonial empire, very wealthy and powerful. The war was started this time by one man, the great Carthaginian general, Hannibal, an able and trusted leader though he was still a young man. Hannibal with a well trained and well equipped army left Spain, crossed northward over the Alps during the winter and suddenly appeared in Italy... Hannibal employed military techniques far superior to those employed by any Roman commander. In three battles in northern Italy, Roman armies were routed, cut up, and almost annihilated.

After three years of preparation by Rome, the Romans met Hannibal at Cannae which ended in her worst defeat and a prolonged slaughter of Roman troops. The Romans were panic-stricken by this brilliant commander who

seemed invincible, but they refused to give up. Fortified Rome could not be taken, but practically all the rest of Italy was under the control of this invader. Some of the Roman allies deserted, while Hannibal negotiated an alliance with Macedonia. At this time Rome had to arm her boys and slaves and thus the war went on. After ten years in Italy, Hannibal sent word to Carthage that he needed more troops so he could finish the war. His brother, marching from Spain to his aid, was met by a Roman army en route, defeated, and killed.

Roman Victory

Now Rome moved and began an aggressive policy under the able general, Scipio. His conquests in Spain deprived Carthage of revenues and help from this most important source, and then he came to north Africa to attack Carthage herself hoping Hannibal would leave Rome and return home. His campaigns in North Africa forced Carthage to recall Hannibal from Italy. Scipio had made a secret pact with one of Carthage's allies, Numidia (now Algeria) The final struggle between the these rivals took place at Zama, near Carthage, and with the help of the Numidians the great Hannibal was defeated by Scipio. He was given the name "Africanus" in honor of this victory in northern Africa.

Rome had become the greatest power in the ancient world. Rome took Spain, where she created two provinces, imposed an indemnity of nearly twelve million dollars on Carthage, forcing them to give up their territories and Romegathered all but ten of the Carthaginian war ships, and made her a dependent ally.

The History of Rome - Part One 743 - 136 B.C.