#thirdpunicwar

Hannibal’s War

The Second Punic War was one of the great struggles of the ancient world. Carthage and Rome fought from 218 to 201 BCE across Spain, Italy, Sicily, Sardinia, and North Africa. Hannibal led Carthage with brilliance, but Rome answered with Scipio Africanus, who brought the fight back to Carthage itself.

Key Facts

Fought: 218–201 BCE

Sides: Carthage vs. Rome

Leader of Carthage: Hannibal

Leader of Rome: Scipio Africanus

Battlefields: Spain, Italy, Sicily, Sardinia, and North Africa

Result: Rome won, and Carthage lost its place as a major Mediterranean power

Historical Context

The war came after Carthage had already lost the First Punic War. Hannibal became famous as one of history’s most skilled commanders, and his campaign made the conflict one of the most dramatic in ancient history. Even so, Rome’s strength grew, and Scipio Africanus eventually took the war to Carthage’s own territory.

Historical Significance

The Second Punic War changed the balance of power in the Mediterranean. Carthage suffered another crushing defeat, and its chance to remain a great rival to Rome slipped away. It would return for the Third Punic War about 50 years later, but this war marked the moment when Carthage’s long-term power was seriously broken.

Cato the Elder

Marcus Porcius Cato, better known as Cato the Censor or Cato the Elder (234-149 BCE), was an influential political figure of the Roman Republic. Serving as quaestor, aedile, praetor, consul, and censor, he championed Roman virtues and detested Greek culture. He wrote the first Roman histories in Latin and was an eloquent orator. Towards the end of his career, he advocated for the Third Punic War with his famous line, "Carthage must be destroyed."