The Scipio Family Tree

The Scipio family figures large in the story of Hannibal, with Scipio Africanus being perhaps the best known of them. Senior members of the family were the first to counter-attack the Barcas in Spain; Scipio's father was injured at the battle of Ticinus (and was rescued by his son) but then killed in Spain (alongside Africanus' uncle); his father-in-law fell at Cannae. Finally, an adopted member of the Scipio family led the final destruction of Carthage.

Roman Rivalries: Cato versus Scipio Africanus

Source

The conflict between Cato the Elder and Scipio Africanus  provides a continuing tension to the politics of Rome before and after the Second Punic War (the Hannibalic War). Even at the height of the war, this rivalry was bitterly contested.

The end of this war appears to mark a transition from the "pre-Hannibalic War" style of politics - in which the Republican constitution functioned successfully - to a "post-Hannibalic War" style of politics - which exhibited many of the trends that undermined the stability of the Roman constitution and led, ultimately, to the collapse of the Republic and its replacement by an autocratic empire.

The War Elephant



Elephants in battle

War elephants were important, although not widespread, weapons in ancient military history. Their main use was in charges, to trample the enemy and/or break their ranks. War elephants were exclusively male animals, as they are faster and more aggressive.

War elephants were so important that they were frequently portrayed on coins.

Portraits of Hannibal

Coin attributed to Hannibal

The problem is that we don't have any portrait that definitely depicts Hannibal.

The Battle of Zama - According to the BBC!

Clip from a cheesy BBC drama charting the rise and fall of Hannibal, the Carthage Warrior. Here we see how Scipio, his Roman nemesis, used Hannibal's own tactics to destroy the Carthaginian army at Zama.

Hannibal's Tactics at Zama (202 BC)

The disposition of troops at Zama

Although he was defeated at Zama, the battle shows some indications of Hannibal's tactical genius.

Hannibal could not do what he had done before, but if he had been able to force Scipio into a set battle shortly after he arrived, he would have held the cards because Scipio had practically no cavalry. But his astute opponent knew this, and after Carthage reneged on a peace with the arrival of Hannibal, Scipio's strategic move of laying waste to the hinterland of the Bagradas Valley, which also closed the gap between him  and Massinissa, was brilliantly implemented; Carthage's vital lifeline was assaulted, and Hannibal was compelled to march west before he wanted to.

The Battle of Zama: Scipio defeats Hannibal (202 BC)



The Zama Tapestry, Patrimonio Nacional, Madrid, Spain

The Battle of Zama, in what is now Tunisia, resulted in the defeat of Hannibal and Carthage and marked the end of the Second Punic War.

Hannibal was defeated by Scipio (later 'Africanus'), who had learnt Hannibal's tactics.

Hannibal Prepares for the Invasion of Italy (218 BC)

Hannibal's Route to the Alps

Hannibal began his assault on Rome with the capture of Saguntum after an eight month siege in 218 BC. He was only around 25 years old.

As he expected, this forced the hand of Carthage and triggered off the series of events that started the Second Punic War. 

The Siege of Saguntum (218/9 BC) - Polybius vs. Livy

The battle of Saguntum as told by Polybius and Livy gives two separate accounts of the same battle and the events leading up to it. Livy's account of the siege take up the better part of two pages. Polybius' account of the war is a much more condensed overview of what he considers to be its high points, told in two paragraphs.

The most significant force shaping these two authors is most likely the nationalities of the two men. The differences in the styles and facts between these two stories are extensive. While neither side fully identifies with Carthage, one author definitely gives a more well-rounded and evenly-balanced account. The two histories differ not only in facts about the battle, but also in the events leading up to the battle as well as how Hannibal is depicted.

Hannibal's Attack on Saguntum - by Livy (218/9 BC)

Livy relates the terrible story of the attack and conquest of Saguntum by Hannibal (Livy XX1 21.7-15 ).

Hannibal Attacks Saguntum (218/9 BC)

The ruins of Saguntum

Hannibal's attach on Saguntum triggered the Second Punic War.

More than twenty years had elapsed since the termination of the First Punic War (264-241), during which period the Carthaginians had recovered their strength, and had obtained possession of the greater part of Spain; and now a favourable opportunity had arrived for renewing the war with the Romans.

Marcellus and the Death of Archimedes



The Death of Archimedes

Avoiding a direct clash with Hannibal in Italy, Rome moved a force to Sicily. The results were mixed. Although the campaign was successful, there was a particularly two sad event - the murder of Archimedes.

Roman Expansion After the Second Punic War

After the Second Punic War, Rome chose to intervene in Macedonia, Greece and Asia Minor.

Rome had begun to create borders abroad that served its interests by being ill-defined -- borders that kept various powers at odds with each other and wanting to maintain Rome's favour.

The Alps - Elephant Free!

No comment!

On Hannibal's Trail - The Wood Brothers TV Series

Watch the BBC series in which three Australian brothers - Danny, Ben and Sam Wood - set out cycling on the trail of Hannibal, the warrior who marched from Spain to Rome at the head of an invading army.

See the episode guide here and list of clips here.

Destruction of Carthage - Regional Background



Roman Territories After the Third Punic War

The final destruction of Carthage took place at a time of unrest throughout Hispanina, Macedonia and Greece - and unrivalled expansion of Rome.

211: Nearly The End of Rome?

Rome's San Sebastian Gate

During the war with Hannibal, the year 211 BC saw Rome's darkest hour.  Hannibal, victorious and seemingly unstoppable was only thirty miles from Rome.

Roman women appealed to the gods by sweeping the floors of their temples with their hair.

Rome: The Home Front After Hannibal

Pompeii Fresco - Venus and Mars

After the war against Hannibal, overseas wars continued and life in Rome for most people was not at all luxurious - or even comfortable.

Although some Romans became wealthy, most were poor and unable to find work.

Summary of Petrarch's Africa, Books 6-8



Francesco Petrarca aka Petrarch
 (1304-1374)

Petrarch is perhaps not the most reliable source for Hannibal's era - given the long passage of time - but he certainly adds some colourful detail.

This helpful summary of Petrarch's Africa, Books 6-8 is by Timothy Moore of the University of Texas.

Summary of Livy Books 26-30

Livy is one of the major historical sources for the detail of Hannibal's life.

This helpful summary of Books 26-30 of Livy's History of Rome is by Timothy Moore of the University of Texas, taken from his course - Hannibal: Hero or Monster?

Portus Hannibalis



Location of the Arade River
Source

A commercial port Portus Hannibalis was identified in Algarve only by Pomponius Mela: "In Cuneo sunt, Myrtili, Balsa, Ossonoba; in Sacro Lacobriga, et Portus Hannibalis; in Magno, Ebora". (De Chorographia, 3,1,7,)

The location of the original site is unclear.

Although the port may have played a part in the conquest of southern Hispania by the Barca clan, it is likely that the port was founded well before the time of Hannibal Barca; Hannibal was - after all- a common Carthaginian name.

Hannibal ad Portas!

This is a Latin saying, which means 'Hannibal is at the door'.

The fear of Hannibal became so great that it was said Roman parents would use it as a way to threaten their misbehaving children. If a child was bad, the parent would tell them that Hannibal was coming for them - the modern equivalent is the 'bogeyman'.

The Character of Hannibal

Hannibal was certainly aggressive, clever and persistent but what more do we know about his character?

Who better than Polybius, who actually spoke to people who knew Hannibal well.

Hannibal and the Second Punic War: An Overview

Hannibal's War was the Second Punic War - a war he sought with Rome - to the general dismay and disapproval of Carthage. This was had its roots in the First Punic War, and in particular the hatred of Hannibal's father for Rome, resulting from his defeat in Sicily during that war.

Hannibal's Father: Hamilcar Barca (~ 290 to winter 229/228 BC)

Hamilcar was the father of Hannibal and probably a member of the Carthaginian high aristocracy. The name might also be spelled Barcas or Barak, meaning 'lightning' - a reference to fast movements as a military commander.

Hannibal's Wife

Imilce? at Baeza
Source

Livy reports that Hannibal had a Spanish wife, Imilce .

He may also have had a son, although this may be just literary speculation.

Scipio Africanus in Asia

Signet ring bearing the image of Scipio
Africanus

Scipio Africanus was the only Roman general to defeat Hannibal in a major battle (Zama in North Africa) - but his military exploits - and his obsession with Hannibal - did not end there. When Hannibal fled to the court of Antiochus III of Syria (in 195BC), Scipio pursued him.

In 190 Scipio was sent as legate to his brother Lucius, who was consul in command of the Roman army in the war against Antiochus III of Syria (supported by Hannibal). In fact, Scipio had engineered the election of both Lucius and Gaius Laelius in order to ensure for himself the effective command.

Battle of Magnesia (190 BC)

Asia Minor

The battle of Magnesia was a major turning point for Rome - which established its power in Asia for the first time - and also for Hannibal, who lost the last trappings of his reputation as an unbeatable commander. In fact, although Hannibal was present (on the side of Antiochus III, to whose court he had fled in 195BC) there is no indication that Hannibal played a major role in the battle.

Carthaginians in the New World?



World map according to ideas by Posidonius (150-130 B.C.),
interpreted in 1628

(The following is based on Roy Decker's 1999 article of the same name)

Phoenicians and later Carthaginians were known as the most able and adventurous seamen of the ancient world.

Carthage was the pre-eminent sea power in the western Mediterranean, up to the disastrous wars with Rome.

There is some evidence that the extent of their ancient sea journeys may have been under-estimated.

Carthage's Culture - Phoenician and Punic

In comparison with the extent of its power and influence, the artistic and intellectual legacy of the Phoenecians and Carthage seems to be relatively small.

Carthage carried Phoenician culture throughout North Africa, Spain and the Mediterranean. Following the determined destruction of Carthage by Rome, much of the architecture and cultural artifacts have been lost, but Carthaginian and Phoenician culture still survives in the form of its art and its alphabet.

The history of Carthage was written by her enemies, who painted them as evil avaricious greedy people, more concerned with money and deceit than honor. Almost nothing remains of their literature and culture, though it is known that some must have been of high quality.