The Second Punic War Bc Bc
The Second Punic War is also known as Hannibal's war, named after the great Carthaginian general who, after a long epic campaign, very nearly routed the power of Rome. After having lost control of Sicily and other Mediterranean islands, Carthage sent an army to invade and occupy Spain between 237 BC and 219 BC. The original Whites and Celtic settlers in the region were no match for the battle experienced Carthaginians, and were overrun relatively quickly.
Then, starting in 218 BC, Hannibal led an army of about 50,000 men and a troop of 37 African elephants across southern France, through the Alps in northern Italy (all but one of his elephants survived the incredible journey) and attacked the Romans virtually continually for the next fifteen years up and down the length and breadth of Italy.
Hannibal had many victories, with the greatest being the battle of Cannae where he defeated a numerically superior Roman force. For a while it appeared as if the Romans had finally met their match - but a Roman general, Scipio, hit upon the idea of repaying Carthage in kind. He invaded North Africa, using the logic that if Hannibal could invade Italy and threaten Rome, the Romans could invade North Africa and threaten Carthage. The tactic worked, and Hannibal was forced to return to defend Carthage, leaving behind much of his army on the European mainland.
Rome was then able to invade Spain and drive out the Carthaginian armies. Hannibal was finally defeated by the Romans at the Battle of Zama in 202 BC, and another peace treaty followed. According to the terms of this treaty, Carthage agreed to disarm, pay an indemnity to Rome and hand over their Spanish colonies to Roman rule.
Hannibal himself was never forgiven by the Romans, who pursued him right into Asia Minor (Turkey) where he committed suicide in 182 BC.
A silver coin struck at Carthage around the year 220 BC, showing the Nordic face of Hannibal, that city's greatest warrior. Founded by the Phoenicians, the city of Carthage had received a major Nordic sub-racial input when it was occupied and colonized by Nordic Macedonians under Alexander the Great. It was from a long line of Nordic Carthaginian nobles that Hannibal was born.
A bronze bust of the Roman general, Publius Scipio, who finally defeated Hannibal at the battle of Zama in 202 BC. The Romans called their new colony "Africa" - and in this way the White Romans gave Africa (and Africans) the name by which that continent and its people are known today.
Hannibal's troops crossing the Rhone River on their way to attack northern Italy. Only one elephant actually survived the crossing of the Alps.
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