CARTHAGINIANS & ROMANS
Sep 05, 2019
4 minutes
HANNIBAL BARCA
THE CARTHAGINIAN MILITARY GENIUS
247-183/181 BCE CARTHAGE
The son of the renowned Carthaginian general Hamilcar Barca, Hannibal spent much of his early life in Spain. His father, who had vigorously fought the Romans during the First Punic War, reputedly made his son swear eternal hostility to Rome and Hannibal certainly lived up to that oath.
At the age of only 26, Hannibal’s military talents were confirmed when he was appointed as the Carthaginian commander-in-chief in Iberia. He conquered various Spanish tribes and won a significant battle on the River Tagus. After attacking the pro-Roman city of Saguntum, open conflict broke out between Rome and Carthage that was the beginning of the Second Punic War.
Hannibal dominated the
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