You're Dead to Me Hannibal of Carthage: fearsome enemy of ancient Rome
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Sep 26, 2025 Join Professor Josephine Quinn, an expert in ancient history, and comedian Darren Harriott as they delve into the life of Hannibal of Carthage. They explore his daring march over the Alps with war elephants and his brilliant tactics leading to victories at Trebia and Cannae. Discover why Hannibal chose to avoid capturing Rome, his political reforms after the war, and the romantic tale of Sofhanisba, a Carthaginian woman with a significant political role. Their dynamic blend of history and humor makes for a captivating discussion!
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Carthage Was A Mediterranean Powerhouse
- Carthage was a Phoenician-founded maritime trading superpower centered in modern Tunisia.
- It controlled ports, islands and coastal territories across the western Mediterranean by the 4th century BCE.
Dido's Clever Founding Trick
- The mythic founder Dido negotiated to buy land with an oxhide and cunningly expanded it by slicing the hide into a long strip.
- This story explains Carthage's legendary origins and appears in later Roman literature via the Aeneid.
Rome Was Not Always Dominant
- Early on Carthage was the senior partner to Rome and treaties limited Roman action more than Carthaginian activity.
- Rome only later rose to pre-eminence after successive conflicts with Carthage.
