Hannibal

Hannibal Hannibal, the son of Hamilcar Barca, started following his father on his campaigns when he was 9 years old. From the time Hannibal was 18 until he turned 25 he was a military leader for his brother-in-law Hasdrubal. After Hasdrubal’s death in 221 Hannibal was elected the new commander in chief of the Carthaginian army. Now a Carthaginian general, he was probably one of the greatest generals that had ever lived. The army now under Hannibal’s guidance made large territorial advances until he clashed with the Roman army in 218. Although Hannibal lost many men in his army due to landslides, attacks and illness he was always able to recruit more forces along his way. During his whole campaign as Commander in chief it is believed he lost as many as 15,000 men. Hannibal fought in the Second Punic War during 281-201 B.C. Hannibal's march into Italy is legendary. The Roman Senate felt secure from land invasion and did not take the precautions against war that they should have. Their confidence is understandable, Hannibal was in Spain. He would have to fight his way through a Roman army, cross the Pyrenees, then fight his hannibal, army, roman, river, romans, alps, rome, way, men, italy, crossing, bc, across, lost, fought, fight, defeated, defeat, dangerous, crossed, cross, chief, antiochus, against, war, until, time, spring, spain, rhone, refused, people, out, now, new