Hannibal BarcaAssessment, Legacy and Interpretation

Early Life Born 247BC

◦ Born into a military aggressive environment: Born into military aristocracy His Father was Hamilcar Barca, great

Carthaginian general Strong military Tension between

Carthage and Rome from the 1st Punic war

Early environment characterized by the legend of the oath: shows military mentality with which Hannibal was brought up with

Livy describes it in the following passage:

“Hamilcar, who was preparing to offer sacrifice for a successful outcome, led the boy to the altar and made him solemnly swear, with his hand upon the sacred victim, that as soon as he was old enough he would be the enemy of the Roman people…”

Early LifeAll these elements strongly

affected his future career by:◦ Instilling in him values of leadership,

boldness and determination◦ Instilling in him a hatred of Rome◦ Provided him with military

knowledge and tactics

Hannibal becomes commander

Following assassination of Hasdrubal in 221BC Hannibal was proclaimed commander in Chief by his army

First two years consolidating Hispanic area south of the river Ebro

Complications arose when Rome declared Saguntum a protectorate, and Hannibal responded with a succesful siege, this ultimately led to the 2nd Punic war

Carthaginian territorial gains 219 BC

Already occupied Carthaginian territory

Assessment of Hannibal’s careerMain action occurred in 2nd Punic

warExperienced great success in the

2nd Punic war◦Main successes: three decisive

battles against Romans at: Cannae Trebia Lake Trasimene

Assessment of his careerSuccess came as a result of:Superior military intelligence,

characterized by surprising and unorthodox tactics :

He pioneered many unheard military maneuvers at the time, such as:

The perfect execution of “The Pincer Movement” at the battle of Cannae

Assessment of his Career The effective use of the “Turning

Movement” against Flaminius at the Battle of Lake Trasimene

Effective use of His Cavalry. Often attacking exposed flanks, used at the battle of Cannae

◦A monumental sense of purpose and determination, tracing back to military upbringing ,the crossing of the Alps in Winter is an example of this

Hannibal’s path to success in the Second Punic War

218BC Set out to Italy:◦ Took:

40 000 infantry 12 000 Horsemen 37 War Elephants

Roman Naval dominance forced overland Journey

May 218 Encountered, and conquered, resisting Northern Tribes

Crossed Pyrenees, conquered Celtic tribes and recruited numbers

Crossed the Alps

Spring 217 Hannibal's army achieve another victory at Lake Trasimene

Battle of Cannae Spring 216, Hannibal's third Victory, resulted in an estimated 50,000-70,000 Romans that were killed or captured

Late 218 Hannibal experiences first decisive victroy over the Romans at the Battle of Trebia

Following these three decisive victories Hannibal had little left to do before claiming victory in the 2nd Punic war

Assessment of his DefeatCame excruciatingly close to

taking out RomeMain reasons for his defeat :

◦After the battle Of Cannae in 216BC Hannibal had Rome on its knees

◦A march to Rome here would most likely have resulted in Hannibal's victory

◦Hannibal and his army merely stayed put in Italy, this decision was crucial in Hannibal's defeat

Assessment of His Defeat◦His cavalry commander Maharbal:

"Hannibal, you know how to gain a victory, but not

how to use one."

Assessment of Hannibal’s defeat

◦Reinforcements and provisions were managed by the commercially dominated Oligarchy of Carthage, Hannibal suffered as a result

◦Finally in 203BC Hannibal was recalled to Carthage

◦The battle of Zama in 202 BC was the final showdown for Hannibal, it resulted in his ultimate defeat

The battle of ZamaDecisive falling point in his careerPut an end to the “invincible”

status of HannibalDefeated by Roman army led by

Scipio Africanus◦Defeat came as a result of superior

cavalry of the Romans, usually the Carthaginians' strong point

Zama

Legacy of Hannibal to the Romans

Hannibal laid waste to the Italian countryside and defeated the great Roman army 3 times. Romans shocked, from this came a legacy of fear

He became a symbol of fear to the Romans

" Hannibal ante Portas” Hannibal is at

the gates◦ Phrase developed by Romans to

express fear

Legacy of Hannibal to the Ancient World

Had a monumental impact on the course of history for both Carthage and Rome

Polybius writes of Hannibal's impact: “Of all that befell the Romans and Carthaginians, good or bad, the cause was one man and one mind---Hannibal

The impact and repercussions of the 2nd Punic war can be considered the Legacy of Hannibal

Legacy of Hannibal to WorldHannibal's Legacy is one of:

◦Remembrance of one of the most impressive military campaigns ever

◦Daring tactics, most notably the crossing of the Alps

◦Respect for Hannibal as a commander

◦The constant battle he had with Rome

◦Military tactics that he pioneeredThese elements come through in

representations of Hannibal

Legacy of Hannibal’s Military BrillianceHannibal’s use of the “Pincer Movement" in

the battle of Cannae is widely regarded as one of the best military maneuvers in history

This maneuver left a legacy, even today it is studied at military academies throughout the world

Alfred Von Schleiffen’s “Schleiffens plan” was inspired by this

It was used in the following battles:◦ The battle of Walaga 633◦ The battle Manzikert 1071◦ The battle of Fraustadt in 1706◦ The battle of Cowpens in 1781

Legacy of Hannibal Has been integrated into the

modern entertainment industryExamples of his legacy through

literature:

His legacy has moved beyond retelling of his story into fictin. This novel is an alternative ending, with Hannibal taking over Rome in 215 BC

Hannibal in FilmExamples of representations of

Hannibal in film:◦ Hannibal the man who hated Rome 2001

BBC documentary◦ The true story of Hannibal 2005 BBC

documentary◦ Hannibal vs. Rome National geographic

Channel◦ Hannibal Rome's Worst Nightmare 2006 TV

Film◦ A proposed action film entitled Hannibal

the Conqueror starring Vin Diesel is undergoing work presently

Modern Image of HannibalHas been defined by his legacy:

◦His amazing and daring military work has defined his modern image in popular culture as one of a ferocious warrior

Crossing of Alps a popular feat,

universal respect for it

Modern Educated interpretation of Hannibal Looked upon as a military genius1911 Encyclopedia Britannica

contributor Maximilian Otto Bismarck Caspari wrote of him:

“As to the transcendent military genius of Hannibal there cannot be two opinions. The man who for fifteen years could hold his ground in a hostile country against several powerful armies and a succession of able generals must have been a commander and a tactician of supreme capacity”

Ancient Image and interpretation of HannibalMain sources of info:

◦ Hannibal was regarded throughout the ancient world as an exceptional General

◦ Polybius: “So great and wonderful is the influence of a Man, and a mind duly fitted by original constitution for any undertaking within the reach of human powers.”

◦ Livy: ““He was fearless in undertaking dangerous enterprises, he was prudent in discharging them. Toil could not weary his body or subdue his spirit”

HannibalA Cruel Man:

◦Personal character: Surrounded by controversy of supposed cruelties and greed: Polybius “The prevailing notion about

him, however, at Carthage was that he was greedy of money, at Rome that he was cruel” 

◦Resulted in furthering fear of him◦An Image of a ruthless Tyrant Figure

was spread throughout the ancient world

Bibliographyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanni

balhttp://www.livius.org/ha-hd/hanni

bal/hannibal.htmlhttp://www.myspace.com/hannib

al_barca/blog/120030233http://www.twcenter.net/forums/s

howthread.php?t=410714Cannae: The Experience of Battle in the Second Punic War by Gregory Daly. 253 pgs.