Hannibal (also known as Hannibal Barca, l. 247-183 BCE) was a Carthaginian general during the Second Punic War between Carthage and Rome (218-202 BCE). He is considered one of the greatest generals of antiquity and his tactics are still studied and used in the present day. His father was Hamilcar Barca (l. 275-228 BCE), the great general of the First Punic War (264-241 BCE).
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Definition
Timeline
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247 BCE - 183 BCELife of Hannibal.
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221 BCEHannibal takes command of Carthage's armies in Spain.
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219 BCEHannibal crosses the Ebro river in Spain and sacks the city of Saguntum, Rome's ally, sparking off the Second Punic War.
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Mar 218 BCERome declares war on Carthage after Hannibal sacks Saguntum in Spain. The Second Punic War begins.
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Apr 218 BCE - May 218 BCEHannibal leaves Spain to cross the Pyrenees and Alps into Italy.
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Nov 218 BCEHannibal wins the battle of Ticinus.
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Dec 218 BCEHannibal wins the battle of Trebia.
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c. 217 BCE - 218 BCE30,000 Celtic infantry and 4,000 Celtic cavalry join Hannibal. Celts constitute just over 50% of his army in Italy.
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Jun 217 BCEHannibal wins the battle of Lake Trasimene.
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216 BCEMarcus Claudius Marcellus successfully defends Nola against attack from Hannibal during the Second Punic War.
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216 BCE"Hannibal ante portas." Hannibal directly threatens the city of Rome, but cannot advance due to lack of supplies and reinforcements.
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Aug 216 BCEHannibal wins the battle of Cannae, the worst defeat in Roman history.
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207 BCEHannibal, harassed by Roman forces, is reduced to controlling only Bruttium in southern Italy.
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203 BCECarthaginian commander Mago is unable to join forces with Hannibal and his army is defeated in Cisalpine Gaul.
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203 BCEHannibal is recalled from Italy to defend Carthage against Scipio Africanus.
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202 BCEHannibal flees to Hadrumentum after losing the battle of Zama.
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19 Oct 202 BCEBattle of Zama: Scipio Africanus defeats Hannibal, ending the Second Punic War.
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195 BCEFacing the threat of being handed to the Romans after the Second Punic War, Hannibal flees to the Seleucid court of Antiochus III and becomes his advisor.
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189 BCEGortyn gives sanctuary to Hannibal.
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c. 183 BCEAs an ambassador to the Hellenistic kingdom of Bithynia, Titus Quinctius Flamininus, the general who defeated Macedon, demands that Hannibal should be surrendered in Roman hands. As king Prusias gives in, Hannibal commits suicide in the village of Libyssa, in order to escape captivity. The Roman Senate did not approve of Flamininus' action.
