Second Punic War I

Hannibal

• One of greatest generals of antiquity
• Belonged to one of leading families of Carthaginian oligarchy
• Acted as long-term governor in Spain
• Decides to provoke war with Rome
  • Realizes Roman superiority in manpower
  • Takes war to the Roman territory
  • Hopes to induce rebellion among Roman allies
  • Lays siege to town of Saguntum, Roman ally in Spain

Hannibal's Campaign in Italy

• Takes army to Italy
  Drags poor elephants over Alps
• Major but not decisive victories over Romans in 218, 217
• Fabian tactics
  • Recognition of Hannibal's superior generalship
  • Refusal to confront him directly
  • Shadowing Hannibal to keep him from causing too much trouble
• Cannae
  • Fabian tactics abandoned
  • Massive Roman defeat at Cannae, 216
  • Hannibal can't take Rome
  • Limited revolts among s. Italian allies
  • Most allies stay loyal, esp. in central Italy
• Return to Fabian tactics
  • Unus homo nobis cunctando restituit rem
  • Hannibal never confronted again in Italy
  • Spends next decade trashing s. Italy
  • Never receives substantial reinforcements
• Romans gradually subdue revolts in Italy, Sicily