Hannibal of Carthage: The African Who Nearly Toppled the Roman Empire

Hannibal (247 BC -183BC) was a great military leader who by his superior strategies nearly brought the mighty Romans to their knees. Even as a young boy, he accompanied his father Hamilcar while the latter tried to salvage the reputation of Carthage after the defeat in the First Punic War. While in Hispania, Hamilcar was killed and HannibalÕs brother- in law Hasdrubal took over. He was more interested in consolidating the territories already under their control and not in accumulating more territories. However, in 221 BC, Hasdrubal was killed and the Carthaginian government now appointed the young Hannibal as their commander- in- chief.

The first couple of years were spent in continuing the conquest and consolidation of Hispania. The Romans watched warily the growing strength and popularity of the young commander. A clash between the two was inevitable. Therefore, when the Romans claimed the city of Saguntum as their protectorate, Hannibal thought that it was against an earlier treaty. Hannibal besieged the city of Saguntum, which capitulated after 8 months. The Carthaginian government turned down the demands of the Romans to hand over Hannibal to them. The stage was set for a long drawn hostility between the two sides.

Hannibal had the complete backing of Carthage and now he set out on the historical march from New Carthage (in Spain) in 218BC. HannibalÕs army marched across the Pyrenees and the Alps, a feat which was unthinkable at that time. In the process he lost many men. Apart from the dangerous terrain, there were many attacks from the unfriendly natives. He brought these tribes under his control in battles at Ticinus, Trebia and at Trasimene Lake in 217. He was now with in striking distance of Rome. The Roman general managed to keep Hannibal at bay by avoiding direct confrontations. By 216, Hannibal settled down in Cannae and won many victories.

However, the Carthaginian government refused to send him reinforcements and many of HannibalÕs allies refused to help him at this point of time. His attack on Rome in 203 failed and he was asked to return home. A peace treaty was signed by Carthage and Rome in 201 BC. In 196 BC, Hannibal became the Shophet (chief magistrate) of Carthage. He tried to improve the economy of Carthage so that he could resume his struggle against Rome. However, he was expelled from Carthage. He sought refuge in Syria where Antiochus the Third was the ruler. They joined hands against Rome Antiochus was tamed in 190 BC. Further attempts to defeat Rome all ended in failures and eventually in 183 BC, Hannibal decided to kill himself rather than be subdued. Thus, Hannibal instilled fear in the minds of the Romans and even the Romans came to respect HannibalÕs military genius.