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Hannibal: Punic War
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The Carthaginian general Hannibal (247-182 BCE) was one of the greatest military leaders in history. His most famous campaign took place during the Second Punic War (218-202), when he caught the Romans off guard by crossing the Alps.
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Considered one of history's great military geniuses, Hannibal cemented his legendary status during the Punic Wars. The Carthaginian famously led his troops on a 15-day journey across the Alps to swiftly defeat the Romans. Among the likes of military giants Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar, Hannibal remained undefeated after conquering the Romans at Trebia and Cannae -- until 203 B.C., when his forces were annihilated by Scipio.
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Hannibal needed to cross the Pyrenees, the Alps, and many important rivers. In the spring of 218 BC, he fought his way to the Pyrenees. He made peace deals with the Gaulish leaders and reached the Rhône River. Arriving at the Rhône in September, Hannibal's army numbered 38,000 infantry, 8,000 horsemen, and thirty-seven war elephants.
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Back in his native land after 16 years of victorious warfare in enemy territory, Hannibal was finally defeated by Scipio Africanus in the battle of Zama. Ironically, Hannibal became the victim of his own strategy: Scipio outflanked and surrounded the Carthaginians with the aid of King Masinissa's Numidian cavalry. Hannibal escaped with only a few horsemen and rushed to Carthage, where he counseled peace. The treaty was concluded in 201.
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Hannibal is usually ranked among the best military strategists and tacticians. According to Appian, several years after the Second Punic War, Hannibal was a political advisor in the Seleucid Kingdom and Scipio was sent there on a diplomatic mission from Rome.
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Hannibal took command of the Punic army after the death of his brother. As the new commander in chief he started to prepare for war with Rome just to prove to the Romans he is that bad ass to destroy the very peace treaty his brother signed.
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Punic War