Hannibal’s shock
The crossing of the Alps and victories at Trebia, Lake Trasimene and Cannae cost Rome armies, but not its political capacity to continue.
Military history
The strategic problem
Hannibal opens the war by bringing an army from Spain into Italy. His tactical victories strain Rome’s alliances without bringing down the Republic. Rome then avoids the expected showdown, mobilizes for the long term and forces Carthage to defend Africa.
The war of alliances
Hannibal seeks to detach Italian communities; Rome divides its efforts, avoids a decisive battle and gradually recovers positions.
The Spanish front turns
Scipio captures New Carthage and destroys Carthage’s base in Hispania, depriving Hannibal of reinforcements and resources.
The war returns to Africa
The Roman offensive compels Carthage to recall Hannibal. Defeat at Zama ends the conflict in Rome’s favour.
Explore
8 published battles, in chronological order
TicinusHannibal turns a cavalry encounter into his first seizure of the initiative in Italy.TrebiaHannibal draws the Roman army towards an icy river and turns exhaustion into a tactical multiplier.Lake TrasimeneFog, hills and lake compress a Roman march into a prepared trap.CannaeHow Hannibal turns the advance of a larger army into a double envelopment.New CarthageScipio exploits intelligence, surprise and an unexpected approach to seize the principal Carthaginian base in Spain.IlipaScipio imposes several days of constraint before reversing his deployment when the Carthaginian army is least ready.MetaurusNero leaves his front, joins Livius’ army and prevents Hasdrubal from joining his reinforcements to Hannibal’s.ZamaScipio opens lanes for the elephants, lets allied cavalry reach the rear, then takes the Carthaginian infantry in flank.
Military history
Sources
Primary sourcePolybe, Histoires, livres III à XV
3.64–74; 3.80–86; 3.107–118; 10.7–18; 11.1–3; 11.20–24; 15.5–14; 15.18
Sequence of the principal battles in Italy, capture of New Carthage, reversal of the Iberian front, the Metaurus, Zama, and the peace terms.
View ↗Primary sourceTite-Live, Histoire romaine, livres XXI à XXX
21.45–57; 22.3–8; 22.44–59; 23.1–11; 26.42–47; 27.47–49; 28.12–16; 30.29–45 [30.37; 30.43–45]
Parallel account of the campaigns in Italy, the political effects of Cannae, the capture of New Carthage, Ilipa, the Metaurus, Zama, and the immediate consequences.
View ↗