Rome Versus Carthage Part 9

Lake Trasimene

June 217 BC

Carthage Versus Rome

This piece of writing was based on the Roman Republic which was a topic that was recommended that I write about by a friend for something to draw and write about. This post is an analysis of the Punic War, - Rome vs. Carthage, and how the different generals fought the Punic War battles. The Second Punic War was a make-or-break moment for the Roman Republic, which was one of the most stressful times for Rome The Carthaginian General Hannibal outmaneuvered the Roman Army- even with a number disadvantage and left the Republic with a major defeat.

 The Carthaginians had one of the top 5 generals of all time: Hannibal, other include: Alexander the Great, Percules, Julius Ceasar and General Patton. The Carthaginians were very blessed to have the Legendary general Hannibal as their General. Hannibal – in the winter of 217 BC- successfully recruited the Gaul’s as allies and crossed the Alpine mountains. The Roman Army was destroyed because of the incompetence of the general Flaminius. The Carthaginians were very nimble because they lived off the land and had a superior navy to the Roman’s which forced major reform’s

The Carthaginians lead a devastating campaign against Rome that cost many of their men over the winter of 217 BC. The Carthaginians- led by Hannibal- over the winter of 218/217BC, successfully recruited Gaulish Allies, and the Roman army was destroyed in three key battles. “His strategy was designed to prize Rome’s allies throughout Italia from its grip denuding Rome from its manpower, money and strength that it would need to have any chance of defeating him. (Cambell 29.)” This shows that they were very effective, and they had a plan to defeat Rome. The Romans lost their army and fought against a combined Carthaginian and Roman army.

Hannibal decided to cross the Alpine mountains of Italy to surprise and destroy Rome in the 5th century. He led his troops after the winter in the Tiber valley, running into the Roman army and destroying them in an ambush at the battle of Lake Trasimene. Hannibal’s army recovered its vigor, energy and strength in the spring and started rampaging the land and razing cities. Hannibal had trouble sieging cities but was able to destroy the Roman Army after the Roman Army.

The Roman’s had a very difficult time beating Hannibal’s army. The Romans “lacked the military experience of his fellow consul Servius, and was either impetuous, arrogant or both.” (Cambell - 30-31) Flaminius was a terrible general and was wholly unqualified leading them to a disastrous defeat. The Carthaginians typically lived off the land- not living off of supply lines. This strategy allowed the Carthaginians to be more manurauvable and to not get destroyed by a logistical nightmare of the capture of their supplies.

The Romans were led by an incompetent and arrogant leader who was easily defeated by Hannibal. The Carthaginians Gaulish Allies supported the Carthaginians and gave them food and supplies which bolstered their army. Hannibal surprised the Roman army and destroyed them multiple times.

Citations

Cambell, D. (2018a). Roman Legionary Versus Carthaginian Warrior. Osprey Publishing.