Hannibal started the Second Punic War when he attacked a city allied with Rome. He had a hatred for Rome passed down from his father who made him dip his hand in blood and swear an oath of hatred against Rome. Hannibal was known as the most cruel general in ancient Rome, but he was a great one.
Hannibal was defeated many times by Rome but when he did win a battle it came as a shock to Carthage. Many of Rome's allies went to Carthage's side after this defeat. A young leader named Scipio invaded Spain and North Africa and made Hannibal have to withdraw his troops. In a peace treaty made between Carthage and Rome, Rome was able to keep its North Africa empire but lost everything overseas. Hannibal fled to the Syrian court in Ephesus to encourage them to fight Rome. After the army was defeated, Rome demanded Hannibal be turned over to them, to escape his fate of being tortured or worse Hannibal killed himself by taking a poison. |