Hannibal, the Carthaginian general, led his army with elephants across the Alps to attack the Roman Republic. The podcast discusses his strategic military tactics, his rise to power, the crossing of the Alps, his victories in battles, the departure of an elite unit, and his symbolic significance as a figure of fear and destruction.
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Quick takeaways
Hannibal, the Carthaginian general, achieved fame for leading an army across the Alps to attack the Roman Republic.
Hannibal employed tactics like surprise attacks and envelopment to defeat larger Roman forces in battles at Trebia and Cannae.
Deep dives
Hannibal's Background and Empire
Hannibal came from Carthage, a wealthy Phoenician empire in North Africa. Carthage controlled trade routes and had rich resources like silver mines and fertile lands.
Hamilcar Barca and the First Punic War
Hannibal's father, Hamilcar Barca, was a famous Carthaginian general who lost the first Punic War. He did not feel betrayed but was tasked to maintain the status quo in the war. After his death, Hannibal inherited his army.
Hannibal's Childhood and Early Military Experience
Little is known about Hannibal's early childhood, but he began accompanying his father on military campaigns in Spain from the age of nine. He gained firsthand experience living with and observing the army, honing his military skills.
Hannibal's Campaign and Tactics in Italy
Hannibal crossed the Alps with a large army and war elephants, making his way to Italy. He fought several battles, including the famous victories at Trebia and Cannae, using tactics like surprise attacks, maneuverability, and envelopment to defeat larger Roman forces.
Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss the life and achievements of Hannibal. One of the most celebrated military leaders in history, Hannibal was the Carthaginian general who led an entire army, complete with elephants, across the Alps in order to attack the Roman Republic. He lived at a time of prolonged hostility between the two great Mediterranean powers, Rome and Carthage, and was the Carthaginians' inspirational leader during the Second Punic War which unfolded between 218 and 202 BC. His career ended in defeat and exile, but he achieved such fame that even his enemies the Romans erected statues of him. Centuries later his tactical genius was admired and studied by generals including Napoleon and Wellington.
With:
Ellen O'Gorman
Senior Lecturer in Classics at the University of Bristol
Mark Woolmer
Senior Tutor in the Department of Classics and Ancient History at the University of Durham
Louis Rawlings
Senior Lecturer in Ancient History at Cardiff University.
Producer: Natalia Fernandez.
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