Hannibal (or Hannibal Barca) was the leader of the military forces of Carthage that fought against Rome in the Second Punic War. Hannibal, who almost overpowered Rome, was considered Rome's greatest enemy.
Birth and Death Dates
It'sunknown, but Hannibal was thought to have been born in 247 BCE and died 183 BCE. Hannibal did not die when he lost the war with Rome—years later, he committed suicide by ingesting poison. He was at Bithynia, at the time, and in danger of being extradited to Rome.
[39.51]"....Finally [Hannibal] called for the poison which he had long kept in readiness for such an emergency. 'Let us,' he said, 'relieve the Romans from the anxiety they have so long experienced, since they think it tries their patience too much to wait for an old man's death....'"
Livy
Main Victories of Hannibal Against Rome
Hannibal's first military success, in Saguntum, in Spain, precipitated the Second Punic War. During this war, Hannibal led the forces of Carthage across the Alps with elephants and achieved surprising military victories. However, when Hannibal lost at the Battle of Zama, in 202, Carthage had to make heavy concessions to the Romans.
Fleeing North Africa for Asia Minor
Sometime after the end of the Second Punic War, Hannibal left North Africa for Asia Minor. There he helped Antiochus III of Syria fight Rome, unsuccessfully, at the Battle of Magnesia in 190 B.C. Peace terms included surrendering Hannibal, but Hannibal fled to Bithynia.
Hannibal Uses Snaky Catapults
In the 184 BCE battle between King Eumenes II of Pergamon (r. 197-159 BCE) and King Prusias I of Bithynia in Asia Minor (c.228-182 BCE), Hannibal served as commander of the Bithynian fleet. Hannibal used catapults to hurl pots filled with poisonous snakes into the enemy ships. The Pergamese panicked and fled, allowing the Bithynians to win.
Family and Background
Hannibal's full name was Hannibal Barca. Hannibal means "joyof Baal." Barca means "lightning." Barca is also spelled Barcas, Barca, and Barak. Hannibal was a son of Hamilcar Barca (d.228 BCE), the military leader of Carthage during the First Punic War in which he was defeated in 241 BCE Hamilcar developed a base for Carthage in southern Spain, which helps explain the geography and transalpine adventure of the Second Punic War. When Hamilcar died, his son-in-law Hasdrubal took over, but when Hasdrubal died, 7 years later, in 221, the army-appointed Hannibal general of the forces of Carthage in Spain.
Why Hannibal Was Considered Great
Hannibal retained his reputation as a formidable opponent and great military leader even after Carthage lost the Punic Wars. Hannibal colors the popular imagination because of his treacherous trek with elephants across the Alps to face the Roman army. By the time the Carthaginian troops had finished the mountain crossing, he had about 50,000 troops and 6000 horsem*n with which to face and defeat the Romans' 200,000. Although Hannibal ultimately lost the war, he managed to survive in enemy land, winning battles for 15 years.
Source
- "The Cambridge History of Greek and Roman Warfare", by Philip A G Sabin; Hans van Wees; Michael Whitby; Cambridge University Press, 2007.
FAQs
Hannibal was distinguished for his ability to determine both his and his opponent's respective strengths and weaknesses, and to plan battles accordingly. His well-planned strategies allowed him to conquer and ally with several Italian cities that were previously allied to Rome.
Why was Hannibal so feared? ›
He angered powerful Carthaginian families by cutting off their corruption. He forced through elections and term limits. By 195 he fled Carthage to avoid a summons to Rome. For the next 13 years Hannibal eluded the Romans and help others strike against Rome.
What were the three most important qualities or abilities that made Hannibal one of history's greatest generals? ›
The three most important qualities or abilities that made Hannibal one of history's greatest generals are being respected, able to plan the enemy's moves and extreme perseverance. What kind of changes happened in Rome over the period of the years from 500 B.C. to 133 B.C.?
What advantages did Hannibal have over Rome? ›
Hannibal has the advantage of picking the sight on which he wants to fight the Romans. He assumes the high ground and has time to deploy his troops around the lake by night, thus concealing his actions. Polybius is careful to list the many different troops under Hannibal's command 'African and Spanish troops…
How did Hannibal defeat Rome? ›
They massed their heavy infantry in a deeper formation than usual, while Hannibal used the double envelopment tactic and surrounded his enemy, trapping the majority of the Roman army, who were then slaughtered.
Why did Hannibal want to fight the Romans? ›
Hannibal was born in 247 B.C.E. in Carthage, a powerful city in North Africa that was a threat to the Roman Republic in the Mediterranean. Hannibal's father, a Carthaginian general, made his son swear everlasting hostility to Rome. Hannibal kept his oath and devoted his life to defeating Rome.
Who was the greatest general of Rome? ›
Scipio Africanus, surely the greatest general that Rome produced, suffered both these fates. Today scholars celebrate the importance of Hannibal, even though Scipio defeated the legendary general in the Second Punic War and was the central military figure of his time.
What was Hannibal remembered for? ›
In 219 B.C., Hannibal of Carthage led an attack on Saguntum, an independent city allied with Rome, which sparked the outbreak of the Second Punic War. He then marched his massive army across the Pyrenees and Alps into central Italy in what would be remembered as one of the most famous campaigns in history.
Who was Hannibal and what was his greatest accomplishment? ›
Hannibal was the general who led the Carthaginian military campaign against Rome in the Second Punic War. As one of the greatest military leaders in history, he had many accomplishments. Perhaps his greatest was the enduring legacy left by the strategic and tactical genius he displayed on many battlefields.
What was the greatest victory for Hannibal? ›
Republican Rome was pushed to the brink of collapse on August 2, 216 B.C., when the Carthaginian general Hannibal annihilated at least 50,000 of its legionaries at the Second Punic War's Battle of Cannae.
The compressed Romans were butchered by Hannibal's army. Polybius gave the number of Roman dead at 70,000, while Livy reported 55,000; either way it was disaster for Rome. Virtually 1 in 5 Roman men of military age were slaughtered, and households at every level of society were affected.
How did Hannibal lose his eye? ›
The Roman historian Polybius' account in Greek of Hannibal's affliction is brief, stating, “Hannibal himself on the sole remaining elephant got across with much difficulty and suffering, being in great pain from a severe attack of ophthalmia (Greek 'οφθαλμια), which finally led to the loss of one eye as he had no time ...
What makes Hannibal so good? ›
For Bryan Fuller's Hannibal, the team involved managed to craft a distinct and artistic reinterpretation of the source material, using great acting to create powerful relationships, along with brilliant visuals and more interesting psychology.
Why is Hannibal so likeable? ›
Routinely voted one of the greatest villains in film, television, and literary history, Hannibal Lecter is easily the most likeable cannibal in pop culture. He is erudite, brilliant, engaging, persuasive, personable, and funny, but those qualities don't make him any less of a monster.
What makes Hannibal Lecter interesting? ›
One key to the film's appeal is that audiences like Hannibal Lecter... He may be a cannibal, but as a dinner party guest he would give value for money (if he didn't eat you). He does not bore, he likes to amuse, he has his standards, and he is the smartest person in the movie...
