The carthaginian leader even in his exile after the second punic war, authored books in greek, with one example pertaining to the campaigns conducted by his roman foe gnaeus manlius vulso in asia minor. Hannibal barca the master of battlefield tactics world history. It also gives an interesting account of the fabian strategy of the romans that. If you want to discover the captivating life of hannibal barca, then keep reading. Hannibal escaped to carthage, where he advised negotiations.
In hannibal, perhaps his best book yet, the distinguished military historian. It takes the reader from the early military histories of both rome and carthage. One of his most famous achievements was at the outbreak of the of the second punic war. Hannibal barca of carthage was the first military commander to be identified as a threat to a nation because of his strategic, operational, and tactical prowess on the battlefield. Hannibal was a general who fought using elephants and an army of 60,000 men. His father, hamilcar barca, was the leading carthaginian commander during the first punic war, his younger brothers were mago and hasdrubal, and he was brotherinlaw to hasdrubal the fair. He is widely considered one of the greatest military commanders in history. Hannibals war with rome provides a complex example of strategic and tactical successes and failures that have been modeled and studied throughout military history in one fashion or another. Hannibal was born in the barca family, a clan of carthaginian military. Hannibal quite possibly shaped the roman tactics and the battle strategies that. The influence of hannibal of carthage on the art of war.
This paper examines the influence of hannibal of carthage on the art of war over time. A life from beginning to end military biographies book 4. Hannibal barca is the one who famously led his forces including elephants across the alps and into rome, where he terrorized roman forces during the second punic war. Hannibals brilliance as a military commander is evident throughout the second punic war, also known as the hannibalic war. One of the names most synonymous with brilliant military strategy is hannibal. Hannibal barca of carthage, born 247 bc, was one of the great generals of. Apr 06, 2020 hannibal, born 247 bce, north africa died c. Nov 26, 2016 hannibal barca of carthage was the first military commander to be identified as a threat to a nation because of his strategic, operational, and tactical prowess on the battlefield. Hannibals entire life was spent living out one promise, to be romes worst nightmare. His strategy and tactics are still taught in military academies.
Hannibal barca is one of the most known carthaginian general in history. The novel ends roughly where the war ends, although hannibal lived on for some years as both a political figure and a mercenary soldier. I am endeavouring that others, in their turn, will be obliged to yield to my good fortune, and my valour. Hannibal barca biography birthday, trivia military leader. Yet there was one man, more than anyone else, whose name sent shivers through the romans hannibal barca. Carlton, james, the military quotation book, new york city, new york, thomas dunne books, 2002. The romans destruction of carthage after the third punic war erased any. For those who are interested in battle strategy, this book cant be beat. Hannibal barca of carthage, born 247 bc, was one of the great generals of the ancient world. With that as a given, i still think it worthwhile to read books such as hunts since i dont. The great african military strategist, wargeneral and the builder of city of barcelona hannibal, son of hamilcar barca 247 183182 bc was a punic carthaginian military commander, generally considered one of the greatest military commanders in history. The term tactics refers to the operational techniques military units employ to.
As polybius said this about hannibal barca as referenced in the book hannibal by nic fields. Aug 05, 2014 for the best answers, search on this site in a nutshell if youre talking about the practise of government before and after the battle, really just explore fabius maximus and his way of dealing with hannibal and how rome grew tired of it which resulted in cannae, the fabian strategy the practise was seen as quite unroman and as a result when the dictatorship came. The fabian strategy is a military strategy where pitched battles and frontal assaults are avoided in favor of wearing down an opponent through a war of attrition and indirection. The greatest military tactician in history, and general of the carthaginian armies in both punic wars against rome. Hannibal was the son of carthaginian general hamilcar barca who fought rome during the first punic war. He soundly defeated every roman army that dared to risk battle with him while in italy. The carthaginian army, led by hannibal, surrounded and practically annihilated a larger roman army under the consuls lucius aemilius paullus and gaius terentius varro. Hannibal tried to repeat his cannae tactics, but scipio had better cavalry than the unfortunate consuls fourteen years before. Hannibal barca is the most famous of the three carthaginian military leaders known as hannibal.
He was born into a carthaginian military family and made to swear hostility toward rome. Napoleon, george patton, and norman schwarzkopf, jr. Following up on my previous feature for ancient origins magazine, he. Hannibals vast knowledge of military tactics also kept his men alive. His father, hamilcar bar ca, was a leading carthaginian.
Naval war college, where classes are filled with navy, army, marines, and air force officers along with representatives of the intelligence agencies. I am not carrying on a war of extermination against the romans. The influence of hannibal of carthage on the art of war ancient. He invaded the homeland of his enemy and remained there, undefeated, for fifteen years. Hannibals wellplanned strategies allowed him to conquer several italian cities allied to rome. Aug 18, 2017 over the centuries, the roman legions propelled a small city along the tiber to rule the entire known western world. Few military leaders hold as much allure for historians as hannibal barca of carthage todays tunisia. In his book entitled historys greatest military commanders author barry linton covers these leaders and great military commanders in fascinating detail, highlighting their distinguishable backgrounds and origins. Throughout time there have been great military leaders, whose leadership skills have shaped and defined the path of human civilization.
As a result, their battlefield tactic was spectacularly simple as it often. Gabriel explains how hannibal turned a multicultural mass of carthaginians, iberians, gauls, and others into one of the most effective armies in history, with which he very nearly destroyed the rising power of rome. Hannibals war by john lazenby for the best military book on hannibal, which i also put down as best biography, too. Hannibal barca was a punic carthaginian military commander, and is widely considered to be one of the greatest military commanders in history. The military biography of romes greatest enemy by richard a. Hannibals tactics and methods offer great lessons not only for military history but also for. What we know mosthis battle tactics dominates the book. Most of the time, hannibal tried to stay away from elevated areas. I am frequently invited to lecture on hannibals intelligence gathering in venues like the u.
Mar 29, 2018 hannibal also known as hannibal barca, l. While avoiding decisive battles, the side employing this strategy harasses its enemy through skirmishes to cause attrition, disrupt supply and affect morale. During the second punic war, hannibal swept across southern europe and through the alps, consistently defeating the roman army. Pride of carthage is a 2005 novel about the second punic war by american author david. In many cases, he outwitted an opponent that far outnumbered him, causing mass casualties to the roman army. Inventor of the pincers movement, pioneered in the battle of cannae 216bc, the greatest defeat in roman military history, and the third of his three great victories over roman forces following river trebia in 218bc and lake. Hannibal was a carthaginian general who fought against rome during the second punic war. As the famous historian and biographer theodore dodge makes clear in his book, hannibal. Hannibals brutal tactics enforced loyalty among his troops and power over his enemies. But to be fair, it was less blundering about and more factors not under his direct control that led to his downfa. Hannibal barca, son of hamilcar barca n 1 247 183182181 bc n 2 was a punic carthaginian military commander, generally considered one of the greatest military commanders in history. Top 12 facts about hannibal barca ancienthistorylists. A very interesting book on hannibal barca, the great carthaginian general of antiquity, most famous for crossing the alps with his war elephants and taking the battle to the gates of rome. Hannibal barca of carthages whip warehouse wiki fandom.
Hamilcar barca hannibals father, was the leading carthaginian general during the first punic war. The struggle for power in the mediterranean, book club associates, london. His father, hamilcar barca, was the leading carthaginian commander during the first punic war, his younger brothers were mago and hasdrubal, and he. Hannibal was a carthaginian general and statesman who commanded carthages main army. Informed equally by the authors encyclopedic knowledge of antiquity and his own military background, hannibal is a highly readable military biography of a brilliant tactician who failed to understand the culture of his roman enemy and thus could win. Hannibal book by patrick n hunt official publisher. A history of the art of war among the carthaginians and romans down to the battle of pydna, 168 b. In hannibal, perhaps his best book yet, the distinguished military historian richard gabriel examines the life and campaigns of the great carthaginian general in the second punic war. The battle took place on august 2nd, 216 bce in southern italy gabriel 45. Who can be considered the greatest military strategist. Hannibal is must reading for all students of military history.
Hannibal, son of hamilcar barca 247 183182181 bc was a punic carthaginian military commander, generally considered one of the greatest military commanders in history. And furthermore, hannibal s greek training was not just for show. Hannibal barca scipio africanus these two great generals are truly mirror images of each other. Hannibals war with rome provides a complex example of strategic. He is widely considered one of the greates t militar y commanders in history. The battle of cannae is one that shows how great of a military strategist carthages hannibal truly was. So while this book is well written the data on hannibal is scarce and that from his mortal enemies. This is a guest post from patrick hunt, author of the new book, hannibal. But if you see something that doesnt look right, contact us.
This effort was spearheaded by a carthaginian general, hamilcar barca. Hannibal was the son of carthaginian general hamilcar barca. Jul 16, 2019 hannibal was known for leading the carthaginian army and a team of elephants across southern europe and the alps mountains against rome in the second punic war. Cannae is as famous for hannibals tactics as it is for the role it played in roman history. Oct 23, 2014 throughout time there have been great military leaders, whose leadership skills have shaped and defined the path of human civilization. Jun 27, 2019 so without further ado, let us have a gander at the character profile and achievements of hannibal the military genius of the ancient world. Hannibal was born in the barca family, a clan of carthaginian military individuals who had experience in the first punic war. Hannibal barca, otherwise simply known as hannibal, lived and waged. Hannibal, general of the carthaginian army, lived in the second and third century b. To this day hannibal is still regarded as a military genius.
Romes strategic victory over the tacticaloperational genius, hannibal barca hannibal barca, general of carthage during the 2d punic war with rome, 218202 bc, has few peers in the annals of military history. Hannibal defeated successive roman armies dispatched against him by employing superior tactics along with skillfully use of terrain and weather. Hannibal is a fascinating character, but he didnt leave any writings and all his friendsalong with his entire civilizationwere destroyed by rome. Oct 01, 2014 hannibal barca proved to be a brilliant strategist and tactician. Such was the case with hannibal barca, the carthaginian general widely.
Hannibal project gutenberg selfpublishing ebooks read. A life from beginning to end military biographies by history, hourly isbn. Jul, 2019 which came first, the chicken or the egg. Due to these brilliant tactics, hannibal, with much inferior. Hannibal barca biography birthday, trivia military. Hunt, is an account of the second punic war from the perspective of hannibal, as well as a brief biography of the great generals early life. Bibliography related content books cite this work license. Employment of this strategy implies that the side adopting. The military biography of romes greatest enemy by gabriel, richard a. After the roman republic beat carthage in the first punic war 264241. Hannibal barca proved to be a brilliant strategist and tactician. Not only did hannibal inflict a defeat on the roman republic in a manner unrepeated for over a century until the lesserknown battle of arausio, the battle has acquired a significant reputation in military history. Hannibal s tactics and methods offer great lessons not only for military history but also for.
Hannibal by theodore ayrault dodge insight into a thousand books. That is a hard question to answer about which one of these is the better strategist. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Dec 10, 2017 every military academy today offers detailed classes and seminars on hannibals tactics. The lessons taught, tactics used, and losses suffered stand as a testament to their lives and accomplishments. Hannibal, a carthaginian from north africa, was the most skilled and successful enemy that rome ever faced. He is considered one of the greatest generals of antiquity and his tactics are still studied and used in the present day. Aug 05, 2014 hannibal s war by john lazenby for the best military book on hannibal, which i also put down as best biography, too. His military tactics revolutionalized warfare and still seem remarkable to this day.
What can an ancient general teach us about modern leadership. His father, hamilcar, imposed carthaginian rule over much of presentday spain. Hannibals encircling movement failed, and the carthaginians were defeated. Hannibal barca, general of carthage during the 2d punic war with rome, 218202 bc, has few peers in the annals of military history. Richard gabriels hannibal is a worthy successor to his books on subotai, muhammad, scipio africanus, thutmose iii, and philip of macedon. Theodore dodge retraced this route from carthage to italy, paying particular attention to. Cannae is yet another example of hannibal inflicting mass destruction to the roman army trough tactics. Hannibal was known for leading the carthaginian army and a team of elephants across southern europe and the alps mountains against rome in the second punic war. Hes overrated in some ways, he lost the war despite 15 years in italy, and lost everything else on the way, too.
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