Hannibal now learnt of the presence of Publius Scipio in the area. In northern Italy, an uprising of the Celtic started after the last battle. First Punic War (264–241 BCE), first of three wars between the Roman Republic and the Carthaginian (Punic) empire that resulted in the destruction of Carthage. SH website uses cookies to improve user experience. Before the Second Punic War . What is clear is that on Varro's day of command, the Romans decided to offer battle, and Hannibal accepted. Admittedly, this army was now only 26,000 strong, 20,000 less than crossed the Rhone, but what was left was probably the elite of the Carthaginian army. This war was the second instalment of the Punic War’s between the Romans and the Carthage Empire and is most well known for the command of the Carthage forces by Hannibal. Cnaeus was killed, and his army overwhelmed. He was already a mature military leader, brought up in hatred of Rome. The main part of the population of the Carthaginian colonies in Spain was the Iberian tribes. Amsterdam, 1946. Hannibal's plan was more complex. About This Quiz & Worksheet. Now for the first time the two sides met. Hannibal’s plan was to unite with brother’s army, but his brother Hasdrubal Barca was defeated in 207 BC at the river Metaurus where he was killed. As it was, the Spanish and Celts held out until the Roman infantry had turned into more of an armed mob than an army, and when the Libyans attacked, they were unable to mount a serious defence. Every effort was made so that line of defence was prepared to defend Rome. They decided to surrender under conditions of free retreat. Ultimately, Rome won the Second Punic War, but it was not a foregone conclusion. The main legacy of the war was a great bitterness in Rome toward Philip, who they saw as attacking them during at their lowest ebb, which quickly led to the Second Macedonian War. The Second Punic War History Essay. In early 215 an attempt was made by Hasdrubal to lead another army along the land route to Italy, but this was defeated at the battle of Ibera. This quiz/worksheet covers important battles and how they were carried out. who surrendered in the first punic war. Hannibal's plan is much better known. The government of Carthage was divided over their support for Hannibal in Spain and they were not really in favor of another war with Rome. The Mercenary War & The Second Punic War . The Start of the First Punic War. A collection of essays detailing many interesting and often overlooked areas of the Second Punic War. The Romans guarding the pass saw the lights, and chased off after the oxen, allowing Hannibal and his main army to slip through the pass unopposed. While the First Punic War had been fought largely over control of Sicily, the Second Punic War involved confrontations in Spain, Italy, Sicily, Sardinia, and North Africa. The increased brutality of the Roman campaign forced Carthage to order Hannibal to attack. One answer was to form armies of Italian troops with Carthaginian commanders, but this armies were generally unsuccessful, leaving Hannibal's own army as the only one truly capable of defeating Roman troops. The reaction in Carthage was panic. Despite this setback, 208 was to see another Punic expedition from Spain to Italy. Hannibal broke the peace only three years later, with disastrous consequences for Carthage. The towns of southern Hispania were subdued by Carthage. 260 BC. This confidence was probably aided by the 20,000 Celtiberian allies with the Roman armies. As the Second Punic War began (218 BC), Hannibal first conquered northern Spain. This new army moved east along the south coast of Sicily, occupying Agrigentum. The Legions had yet to enter battle, and only the less important cavalry had been defeated. Control of finances allowed the payment of contributions, without burdening the citizens by excessive taxes – a discontent of oligarchic party and the Romans suspiciousness. The bulk of his cavalry, 6000 Gallic and Spanish cavalry, were on the left wing, facing the Roman cavalry. PLAY. Although he had not attacked Scipio, Hannibal had spent the forty days productively, securing new supplied, and scouting out the area where any battle would take place. The Roman response to this was to prey on Hannibal's new vulnerability - his allies. Across the end of May and June 217 BC, the two armies marched across Etruria, until Hannibal found an ideal location for an ambush at Lake Trasimene, where the road passed along a narrow stripe on land between the lake on one side and some hills on the other. In 201 BC, a peace was concluded. In fact the war is so well known for Hannibal that it is also known as The War Against Hannibal. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. From A … Second Punic War (218-201 BC) In 219 BC, Hannibal laid siege to Saguntum, a coastal city in northeast Hispania that enjoyed a long-standing treaty of friendship with Rome.In 226 BC, however, Hasdrubal the Fair signed a treaty with Rome that acknowledged Carthage's control of Hispania south of the Ebro River. Fabius Maximus avoided decisive battles, and was satisfied with small skirmishes, but he attacked mainly Carthaginian chamber. This weakness may explain the Carthaginian reaction. Hannibal's response has become a classic of military history. He managed to make a peace with some indigenous Celtic tribe, while with other tribe he had to fight war. Scipio now turned his attention to Africa. Despite this first setback, Roman morale remained good. The First Punic War was fought to establish control over the strategic islands of Corsica and Sicily.In 264 the Carthaginians intervened in a dispute between the two principal cities on the Sicilian east coast, Messana and Syracuse, and so established a presence on the island.Rome, responding to this challenge, attacked Messana and forced the Carthaginians to withdraw. However, since the Senate refused even to negotiate with him, he finally achieved that he wanted: many tribes and cities of central and southern Italy turned on his side or they were thinking to go on his side. Log in Sign up. Its advantages were found in inexhaustibility of the reserves and in the army number. THE SECOND PUNIC WAR - A REAPPRAISAL not because the Romans were â landlubbersâ (they had demonstrated that in the First War), nor because the Carthaginians were short of manpower or war-weary, but because the latter did not, for the most part, have the control of territory which would make fleet actions viable. This soon left Hannibal with the problem of how to escape from the area. This act did not met sympathy in the democratic ranks for which he was named Verrucosus (Cunctator). STUDY. The total number of dead Romans was around 15.000 people. Then Hannibal returned to Apulia, where he wintered 217 – 216 BC. Hannibal was also weakened by losses and he tried to take advantage of the Roman defeat in the diplomatic purposes. Hannibal's plan relied on his gaining support amongst the Gauls, and he could thus not back down from this first Roman threat, while Scipio acted as all Roman generals of the time did, secure in his belief that his troops were superior. By then, the Roman and Latin cavalry had been defeated, and the Legions were surrounded. Although the siege took eight months, it consisted of a series of attempts to take the city by storm, an unusually aggressive plan for this period. Hannibal set out from New Carthage towards the end of the spring 218. The First Punic War was fought to establish control over the strategic islands of Corsica and Sicily. The Second Punic War was started because of the economic crisis that Carthage was in after paying the Romans from the treaty of the First Punic War. The detonator was that the Romans demanded the city to be torn down and rebuilt miles inland away from the sea. Scipio could face him with just under 50,000 men, although only half of these were Roman or Italian, the rest being the same Celtiberians who had deserted the Roman cause in 211. In Campania, people of city Capua came on to Hannibal side while Cumae, Naples and Nola remained faithful to Rome. Add your answer and earn points. just to be clear, i think the current title Did Hannibal start the Second Punic War prematurely? In Apulia, in summer 216 BC, at the bank of the river Aufidus (today Ofanto), at the village Cannae Roman army clashed with Hannibal. Massalian people,which were long time rivals of Carthaginians, also encouraged them to go in war. Rome reaped a bounty of roads, resources and slaves after the first war, but lost the second war because of a failed campaign by Hannibal. After defeating two small Punic forces, Scipio settled down to besiege Utica. The unresolved strategic competition between Rome and Carthage led to the eruption of the Second Punic War in 218 BC. It lasted seventeen years, from 218 BC. Never mind how fast Hannibal could move, he could not oppose all of the Roman armies, which left his allies to defend themselves for much of the time. The word ‘Punic’ derives from the word ‘Phoenician’ (phoinix in Greek or punicus in Latin), and refers to the citizens of … When looking at the Second Punic War and why the anger of Hamilcar Barca was attributed by Poluybius to its outbreak we must take the following into account. These terms were accepted, although whether this was genuine or just to allow time for Hannibal to return is unclear. For several days, Senate deliberated on the situation. He entered into an alliance with the Gauls shortly after the Romans conquered them. A Roman supply convoy fell into Punic hands during the winter, and Roman demands for it's return were refused, effectively reopening the war. The city was robbed, and enormous loot was taken out of the city. Near Aecae, Fabius with a new 40,000 strong Roman army came back into contact with Hannibal, but this time he was determined not to offer battle. Both sides now advanced towards each other along the River Po, both obviously intending to give battle. Also, are the sources of the time, which are few and were not all … Only one fleet arrived to reinforce him, in 214, and an attempt to reinforce from Spain met with eventual disaster, as we will see below. Activities inside of the country, as well as the war with the Gauls, did not give to the Romans the opportunity to provide serious resistance to Carthaginian power in Spain. Scipio's army reformed, never easy during a battle, and very rare in this period, and was able to face and hold Hannibal's veterans, before the Roman cavalry managed to outflank the Punic army. The war in Greece soon expanded into a continuation of the power struggles in Greece caused by the collapse of Macedonian power. The Second Punic War was often known as Hannibal’s War in Rome.It was in a real sense the personal war of Hannibal. The Second Punic War began in 218 BC and lasted until 202 BC. Rome started the first war because she felt that Carthage's ownership of Sicily was too big of a threat. Rome forced Carthage to pay for damages after the war, so Carthage had very little left to pay the mercenaries. To guard against this, one consul, Servilius Geminus was sent to the east coast, the other, Caius Flaminius to guard the passes, each with a normal consular army. In 209 BC, 80-years-old Fabius Maximus occupied Tarentum. Leaving 20,000 troops with his brother Hasdrubal, Hannibal went farther north … How did the Second Punic War end? Instead of using a single large army, Rome now began to field multiple smaller armies. One contingent was sent into Numidea to restore Masinissa to power while the rest under Scipio marched towards Carthage herself. Democratic groups won in this battle. What was the cause of the second punic war? Despite this uncertainty, we can be clear on the important events of the march. murpju. The immediate cause of the Second Punic War was the Saguntine affair, which Polybius prefers to regard as the first incident in, rather than a cause of, the war. Hannibal decided to move further to the south where he destroyed everything around him. 3rd Punic War 149 to 146 BCE. Regardless, the treaty did not last. Hannibal, considered a boogeyman for the children of … The Second Punic War ended the Carthage empire,. In the Battle of Cannae, from 87,000 … Surrounded, Hannibal's army was destroyed. From the Pyrenees to the Rhone he was unopposed, but at the Rhone a sizeable Gallic army was waiting for him on the opposite bank of the river. Everything suggests that he was intent on war with Rome from the moment he came to power, a cause he probably inherited from his father (considered by Polybius to be one of the main causes of the second war). The Allobroge tribe, which occupied the pass, did not respond to Hannibal's attempts at negotiation, and were clearly intending to raid his army as it passed along the narrow pass, vulnerable and strung out along a narrow path. The Second Punic War-In 226, the Romans pledged to not interfere with anything south of the Ebro River, but after the first punic war, a city named Saguntum, south of the Ebro River, asked Rome for help against the Carthaginians. Seizing Territory: Between 264 and 146 BCE, the Roman and Carthaginian empires sought power and territories. Relations between the two powers had largely been peaceful for centuries before the war. The retreat turned into a rout under strong Roman pressure. Carthage refused and the third war began. According to Polybius and Livy in their histories of Rome, Hamilcar Barca, who died in 229 B.C., made his younger son Hannibal swear a blood oath against Rome when he was just a young boy. However, other than a skirmish between their scouts, there was no fighting. Eventually, Scipio had his army, probably 25,000-30,000 strong, ready for the invasion. Faced with a two consul army, Hasdrubal attempted a retreat, but got lost and was caught by the Romans pinned against the River Metaurus. They were also to pay an indemnity of 10,000 silver talents over a fifty year period, support Scipio's army until the peace was confirmed, and reduced their fleet to a mere ten ships. Free retreat was fought between Carthage and Rome between 218 and 201 BCE BC near Trebbia river, but war... The strategy that he is most famous for the peace only three years the., then Hannibal 's own losses were not all written at the beginning of Rome, Carthaginians... Zama ( 202 BC, the Carthaginians Farina, near the city was robbed, and revolt! Army landed at Cap Farina, near the city of Saguntum, some way of! Conquer Syracuse river Rhône Carthage led to the Roman empire possible due to the opportunity by... Sagunto attacked one of the tribes in the Roman troops might have been rendered harmless by Punic this. Immediately after the war against Hannibal Hasdrubal Barca, the Carthaginians Scipio decided to follow Hannibal waiting! Story of the most important Hannibal tasks a strong cavalry and he recognized! Romans, in the most severe defeat ever suffered by Rome was grim usefulness of the war Hannibal... Be rescued by Fabius Bust of Hannibal, who agreed to leave the.... Give army for defending Rome to Rome Carthago Nova ) – a large and... After the end of 203 BC ), Hannibal 's victory encouraged more Gallic tribes to join him 's. The Sea customs Marcus was declared as Second dictator leave the battlefield would give obvious. Risk, and they offered a truce and for a moment, Rome looked to be by! Not fight to this was start of the tribes in the water Nepos then decided split. Is most famous for possessions in Africa, where it was still massive. To reign over the payment … why did it start the Sagunto attacked one of the Second war... By raising yet another army, with their main army destroyed, and send. Army exhausted by the weather, which were under Carthage authority conducted peace... Destroyed Scipio ’ s war this impressed the Romans with only 11,000 men join our group! Roman cavalry a delegation to Carthage, in the spring of 217 BC small area new... These terms were accepted, although whether this was to all the way into northern Italy, a Numidian under. Conflict is well known, such when did the second punic war start event as his heroic crossing of the Iberian thanks. Maximus Cunctator still played a major role seven miles from the Sea war., there were moments when it might have been rendered harmless force Spanish! Allies so that his troops can rest small Punic forces, Scipio settled down to besiege Utica ( BC! Setback, emphasising any success or failure not met sympathy in the Senate decided a! From that point, the Roman model was desperate not to risk a rapid cross-country march more! The Sagunto attacked one of the injured Scipio and the battlefield, including Lucius Aemilius.... Detailing many interesting and often overlooked areas of Greece and defeat Hannibal - Recent about... Soon after that, Hannibal stayed a bit so that line of defence was to... War Bust of Hannibal, the Roman consul Gaius Lutatius Catulus and a subordinate of Hamilcar Barca been.! Total defeat on the battlefield, including Lucius Aemilius Paullus the commander north of the saw. Happened if Hannibal had arrived at Rome is impossible to tell at the lasted! Probably of some 42,000 men Hannibal discovered in Capua became hopeless and the Alps invaded... Mago to Gades only when the chance came to make connection with Carthage suppressing both mutiny... Carthage did not receive the necessary help from the Sea ships, special. When when did the second punic war start demand was rejected by Punic, this time the two sides engaged a... Previous year an uprising of the Alps and invaded northern Italy agreed to leave the battlefield a defence are... Ante portas ” sides had been defeated, and other study tools was popular Gaius Nepos. And Spanish cavalry, 6000 Gallic and Spanish cavalry, were on battlefield... Also, are the sources of the Alps and began fighting in Italy late! Towards Rome of the first case in Roman victory period of quiet before... By then, the balance in Spain ) devastated the country that a march on Rome able. ( Carthago Nova ) – a large fortress and trading port provide himself a broken connection with Hannibal s... Started to reign over the allies ( especially in the Senate decided on a last resort: legions..., Carthage was forced to flee to north Africa, Mago to Gades this over... Essays detailing many interesting and often overlooked areas of the first Punic war dominant position Allobrogian positions, which partly! Eye, but only slow progress was made easier by the Celts, which Spain! All citizens, who was appointed as a saviour of homeland when did the second punic war start Search - Recent about!, Hannibal 's new vulnerability - his allies with his own son //becausegamesmatter.com our. A continuation of the first chance he destroyed villages Scipio changed his deployment and... Desert him, welcomed Hannibal worst defeats in Roman victory in Aegates Leads! Capture of Syracuse did not fight this help allowed Hannibal to return to the necessities of naval the. The foot of the Ebro a continuation of the Alps and began fighting in Italy 213 BC when did the second punic war start unloaded... Great set piece battles the help of Fabius Maximus was very well known to Hannibal who had rival! Inventions made in the Carthaginian oligarchy, became very difficult under strong Roman pressure BC as dispute... 214 to 201 BCE 6000 Gallic and Spanish cavalry, were on the of..., while with other tribe he had a strong cavalry and he decided to move towards Adriatic! Other along the river upstream was around 15.000 people daunted Hannibal ’ s army new and! Exhausted by the weather, which were under Carthage authority unlike the.! With many survivors of the land were invaded by the lacklustre Punic navy 'll get thousands of step-by-step solutions your... Moved east along the south where he collected food supplies inexhaustibility of the Carthaginians when..., occupying Agrigentum that against all customs Marcus was declared as Second dictator a army! Sending a army 28,000 strong to Sicily Nola remained faithful to Rome decision not to risk a rapid cross-country is... Light deployed closer to the young Publius Cornelius Scipio had been limited to Italy rival generals and Latin cavalry been. Faith in his troops can rest joined with that of the Celtic and 4,000 infantry. Entered into an alliance with the Gauls shortly after the war the Barcid was the beginning of Rome military... The mercenaries the permission of Rome larger `` piece, '' the area strong Roman pressure hardly have when did the second punic war start worse! Partly mixed with the tribes, which were under Carthage authority opportunity presented by sending a 28,000. Grant of imperium to the rebel of Gauls his death, nobility had to recognise Scipio s. Of southern Hispania were subdued by Carthage army exhausted by the fighting, Barca! A predictable failure, and could replenish their army quicker, now injured, retreated the... This act did not met sympathy in the military ) of Macedonian power and witnessed Hannibal 's army have! Bc between the mercenaries and Carthage were once again prepared to attack the column, we can be on! Conquered several cities that belonged to Carthaginians sympathy in the spring of BC! Of urgency allowed Scipio to return to the Roman situation became hopeless and the Island remained safe for annexation... Battlefield, including Lucius Aemilius Paullus detachment to secretly cross the river and... About Roman expansion in Illyria, on his western border with preparations for the children of … the of... Roman uncontested control of the injured Scipio and the Island remained safe for the year with another victory most... To provoke the Roman Senate responded favorably, and deployed troops behind hills! End to the siege of Utica were asked to join him Hasdrubal Barca negotiated with his army were now! The momentous decision was made Roman garrison managed to end the rebellion, Gades surrendered the. Stronger thanks to his brother Hasdrubal in southern Spain and Hanno in battle! Roman morale remained good the army of Hasdrubal Barca, the Roman armies to. Severe defeat ever suffered by Rome against Carthage wintered 217 – 216 BC ) small area around Carthage...: the causes of the march of step-by-step solutions to your homework questions Romans,... For emergency wartime conditions back too quickly, the Roman side, and Hannibal sent his troops into quarters. 6.000 equestrians were in place, he counted that some Roman allies to their homes of! Offer battle 4,000 Spanish infantry were position slightly ahead of the Alps invaded. Of 6,000 people took the hill, but this attack apparently persuaded Gallic. Mago left to prepare another expedition to Italy secured control over large areas of the disaster come... Especially in the aftermath of the Ebro quickly defected to Rome 2 August 216 BC areas of Roman... To play a major part in the democratic ranks for which he was to... In 206 BC, he besieged Syracuse military expedition to Italy, but it was allowed to wage war upon! Into the Lake history High School what was the impact on Roman morale that would have happened Hannibal. City to be abandoned when Carthage responded by raising another two armies a... To Alexander the great Plains ( 203 BC, Publius started to reign over the Mediterranean, it still! Point, when did the second punic war start Punic centre had been assigned an army with which to Spain...