The Second Punic War

A Brief Summary of the Second Punic War

The Second Punic War defined Roman greatness for hundreds of years afterwards, further more cementing their legacy. The Second Punic War was a major change from the first Punic War; Rome had developed locks that could allow their melee units to board Carthaginian naval ships, giving it a key advantage. The Second Punic War was defined by Hannibal, Scipio, and the Roman Senate.

Hannibal Barca was fueled by his hatred of Rome after his father died in the First Punic War. Hannibal led his army over the Alps into Italy and won three decisive battles before getting bogged down by Guerrilla warfare. Hannibal knew how to win a battle (even brilliantly) but did not know how to win a war. Hannibal only had one eye; the other was lost crossing the Alps. [1] The Second Punic War was between 217 and 206 BC. The Second Punic War was important and a key part of history because it was unmatched up to that point, of all previous wars: in magnitude, resources, deaths, and importance. [2]  Rome won the War because of the genius general Scipio.

Scipio was one of the most skilled and talented Roman generals for most of the time that the Roman Republic existed. Scipio led his armies during the time of Rome’s greatest need. Over 10% of Rome’s fighting-age men were killed by Hannibal in the battles of Lake Trasimene, Cannae, and Trebia. Scipio was appointed by Rome to lead an army after the disastrous battle of Cannae. Scipio defeated Hannibal’s brother Hasdrubal, weakening the Carthaginians and preventing Hannibal from getting the necessary reinforcements to continue the war. [3]Scipio was not as skilled a general as Hannibal, but he was good enough that surprising Hannibal and the Carthaginians in battle was enough to defeat the Carthaginians. Scipio attacked Carthage directly, forcing the genius Carthaginian general Hannibal to return to Carthage and use untrained and inferior troops compared to what he was commanding in Italy. Scipio was helped by the Roman Senate, which was extremely stubborn and had great influence throughout Italy, allowing it to fight through horrific losses.

The Roman Senate had great power with nearby allies, was highly respected, had great wealth, and finally, at this point in time, had great ability to keep fighting a major war. The Roman Senate was highly respected by Rome’s allies, which helped prevent their enemies from turning over their allies. Rome’s allies held steadily back against the Carthaginian threat, which protected Rome from the worst war outcomes. The Roman Senate was very stubborn and was highly respected, which allowed it to fight major wars.

The Roman Republic and the entire Mediterranean Sea basin were changed forever by the Punic Wars, particularly the Second Punic War. The Second Punic War defined the Roman Republic as the Mediterranean’s main power.  The Second Punic War was important because it woke the Romans up and increased their focus on military and naval power. It also consolidates the Roman Republic’s power over the Mediterranean, as the Carthaginians were its main rival. The Carthaginians were ancient descendants of Phocian settlers/colonies.

Bibliography

Livy. The War with Hannibal. Translated by Aubrey de Sélincourt. London: Penguin Classics, 1965.

Beard, Mary. SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome. New York: Liveright Publishing, 2015.

McNab, Chris. The Roman Army: The Greatest War Machine of the Ancient World. Oxford: Osprey Publishing, 2010.

Campbell, David. Roman Legionary vs Carthaginian Warrior: Second Punic War. Oxford: Osprey Publishing, 2013.

[1] Titus Livius (Livy), The War with Hannibal, trans. Aubrey de Sélincourt (London: Penguin Classics, 1965), 7.

[2] Titus Livius (Livy), The War with Hannibal, trans. Aubrey de Sélincourt (London: Penguin Classics, 1965), 23.

[3] McNab, Chris. The Roman Army: The Greatest War Machine of the Ancient World. Oxford: Osprey Publishing, 2010. 61.