The paper has outlined Hannibal's tactical manner of combating its enemy the Romans during the second Punic War (Gabriel, 2008). Punic war was one of its kinds. Enmity and grudges Hannibal and Scipio were the main reasons for antagonism between the two rivals. Hannibal was the commander of the Carthagena while Scipion headed the Romans military. Hannibal was an exemplary military commander and regarded as the most intelligent in history of the Carthaginian military. “Barca” was a title earned by the Carthaginian troop and general which meant lightning (Gabriel, 2008). Scipion as well was an outstanding military commander with robust skills gained from a long term he served in the military. He had won so many battles that were very critical to the Romans. During his tenure, his advancement in the Roman troop made Carthginian military and Hannibal surrender (Render, 2010).
The battle with the Romans created enmity between the Romans and Carthaginians; Hannibal is one that left his father with lots of disappointments robbing the Carthaginian their renowned nobility. Before the furry battle with the Romans, the Carthaginian army led by Hannibal; attacked their enemies in an infantry phalanx that was supported by chariots as the primary combat squad armed with deadly weapons that could only be compared to those used by the Greek (Gabriel, 2008). The troop comprised of over 90000 soldiers and around thirty five elephants. These soldiers were from different locations from the Libyan and the Moors Empire. Hannibal's troop crossed the Alp into Italy successfully despite continues warring on their way with the local tribes on the mountains. They landed in the landed in Northern Italy and organized their attack for the Romans (Gabriel, 2008).
The journey of the Hannibal to Italy crossing the Alps was considered one of the mighty achievements of the Hannibal during their time. Many research presentations have been done to show how the Hannibal crossed the Alps thus in understanding how this took place have always captured Hannibal's personality. Hannibal had set a target of attack to be Italy and the journey to this place through the land would be cumbersome according to Hannibal (Gabriel, 2008). As a result, he resorted to crossing the Alps alongside his troop despite the dangers that were looming in this route. He only managed to convene a portion of his troop about 50000infantry, 9000 chariots and around thirty war elephants to invade Italy through the Alps. Hannibal chose this route based on his tactical manner of combating the enemy.
The above strategy and choice of path by Hannibal showed his hatred and pressure to execute revenge upon the Romans. The military departed from Spain towards the end of spring season. According to Polybius, a historian scholar and researcher, during this period the snow thickened in height in the regions around Pleiades. He identified this place as the point Hannibal and his troop used to cross the Alps into the Northern Italy. A similar research that agreed to Polybius' was later presented by Livy (Render, 2010). The two historians also expounded on the geographical orientations that aided passing of Hannibal alongside his troop through some of the highest mountainous regions along the Alps. Such regions are the Clair, Traversette, Mongenevre, and Larche amongst others. This is confirmed by the fact that Italy is visible from these high points and especially from Traversette and Clapier. Viewing the land of invasion gave the troop hopes (Gabriel, 2008). Conquering the city Turin in the Northern Italy by the Carthaginian military as the first city also indicates the possibility of crossing the Alps through the above high points. Turin is directly opposite the Traversette and Clapier mountains.
Throughout this long journey, Hannibal played a series of tricks that enabled him reach his destination. The Romans never moved even when they got the news that Hannibal eloped from Spain. They believed in they manage to capture Hannibal and deployed soldiers to hold the bridges at the Rhone River. Hannibal through his tactical ability and intelligence sent his counterpart northwards fooling the Roman soldiers (Gabriel, 2008). He then managed crossing the deep and swift lower course of the river on pontoons and by swimming. His military later followed after his counterpart Hanno had confronted the Roman military who were guarding the crossing (Render, 2010). The creatively constructed a huge raft on the ferry and soiled so as to enable their war beast cross the Alps as if they were still on a solid ground. Construction of the raft clearly demonstrated Hannibal Barca’s tactical manner of combating its enemy the Romans. This was one of the challenges that were resolved by Hannibal alongside his troop in a manner none could expect. His outstanding leadership and unwavering strength motivated the soldiers and kept them on track regardless of indifferences that arose along the journey. On one instance, a section of his troop threatened mutiny after becoming disgruntled. In managing such and ensuring his military kept bonded together, he allowed the disgruntled members ticket back to reinforce the barracks (Gabriel, 2008). Such a vast knowledge in military and tactical skills kept the spirit of Hannibal's soldiers high. The qualities outlined clearly defined Hannibal Barca’s tactical manner of combating its enemy the Romans.
The Carthaginian military arrived in Italy where they were never expected by the Romans after the long and cumbersome journey across the Alps. However, not the same number that departed from Spain reached Italy (Gabriel, 2008). Hannibal's troop experienced huge number of deaths during the long journey of crossing the Alps. About 6000 thousand and cavalries 2000 men reached Rome. They were weary but Hannibal driven by his hatred still celebrated the success of their journey and their first victory was when they conquered the city of Turin in the Northern Italy (Render, 2010). The hatred Hannibal had for the Roman date many years in the history of the Carthaginians' and was based on land related issues and acquisition by the Greek. At the end of Punic War Sicily became under the reign of the Roman. Carthaginians' were humiliated as they were forcefully driven out of the Sicily city. Hemiclar, the father to Hannibal became very furious over the issue, and such is what was passed to the son when he later took a position as the leader of the military (Render, 2010).
In conclusion, Scipio overcame Hannibal Barca's tactical manner of combating its enemy. The qualities of Scipio Africanus that surpassed Hannibal most enlightened Army during the Punic War earned Scipio victory. Throughout the invasion of Hannibal on the Romans we learn of meticulous military qualities of Hannibal (Render, 2010). He was tactical and highly skilled military commander with a vast knowledge in war. He portrayed high integrity in solving conflicts that arose amongst his troops and kept them united through the journey across the Alps (Gabriel, 2008). He passionately gave his army hopes and determination any achieving their mission despite the challenges the faced before reaching their target. Such qualities made him be branded one of the greater general of the Punic war despite Scipion emerging a victor (Render, 2010).
Work Cited
Gabriel, Richard A. Scipio Africanus: Rome's Greatest General. Washington, D.C: Potomac Books, 2008. Internet resource.
Render, Angela. Forged by Lightning: A Novel of Hannibal and Scipio. United States?: Lulu, 2010. Print.
