Dr. Louis Rawlings

Dr. Louis Rawlings, a renowned expert on Hannibal Barker from Cardiff University, dives into the intricacies of Hannibal's audacious campaign against Rome. He unpacks how Hannibal's brilliant strategies after his victory at Cannae faced the unyielding might of Rome. The conversation reveals the Carthaginian leader's struggles with alliances, his military challenges, and the intriguing decisions that shaped his course of action. Discover how close he came to altering history and the psychological impact of his strategic choices on both his army and his enemies.

Dr. Louis Rawlings, a historian at Cardiff University and expert in ancient warfare, delves into the life of Pyrrhus of Epirus, a Greek warlord who dared to challenge Rome. The discussion highlights his rise amid the chaos following Alexander the Great's death and his impressive military strategies, including the use of war elephants. They explore the famed 'Pyrrhic Victory' at Asculum, underscoring the heavy toll it took on Pyrrhus's forces, and reflect on the lessons learned from his catastrophic later campaigns that defined his legacy.