The Second Punicor

The second Punicor was a time of great turnover in the leadership class. Anyone, patrician or plebe who showed initiative and bravery could find himself given commands he otherwise could never dream of. So yes, the elites took control, but it was a merit-based elite, open to all. Hannibal's response to his smashing victory at Canny was to do nothing. He did not march on Rome and really forced the Romans to think about what they were doing.