Today is the 6th anniversary of the start of this website. I’m celebrating by telling the story of one of the most fascinating figures in history. Masinissa was born the son of a chieftain of the eastern Numidians around 238 BC. The Numidians were nomads who gave their name Read more
In 207 B.C., Hannibal had been in Italy for 11 years. It had been 9 years since his stunning victory at Cannae. In that battle, he destroyed a Roman army of 80,000 men, but he was not able to get Rome to concede that the war was lost. Since Read more
In 207 B.C., Hannibal had been in Italy for 11 years. It had been 9 years since his stunning victory at Cannae. In that battle, he destroyed a Roman army of 80,000 men, but he was not able to get Rome to concede that the war was lost. Since Read more
*** This anecdote is probably apocryphal, but it could be true. Both Livy and Appian included it in their histories. Two of the greatest generals met in the Battle of Zama in 202 B.C. The battle ended the Second Punic War and made Rome the dominant power in Read more
For sixteen years, Hannibal roamed Italy defeating every Roman army that he faced. But he could not capture Rome and few Italian cities allied with him. The only way to end this dominance was to have a general equal to Hannibal. That general was Scipio. He learned from Hannibal’s Read more
Recently I started a debate over who was the best Roman general. I proposed Scipio Africanus as the best and many proposed others, particularly Julius Caesar. I think that those who support Caesar certainly have plenty of evidence to back up their choice. I will readily concede that he is Read more
The greatest ambush in military history took place on June 21, 217 B.C. Just one year earlier, Hannibal had crossed the Alps into Italy. After winning the Battle of the Trebia, Hannibal continued south and bypassed a Roman army under Flaminius. Scorching the earth as he marched, the Roman Read more
This post is for my Western Civilization and World History teachers who want something entertaining and educational to enhance their Roman history units or on a “rainy day” or for a substitute to show. “Hannibal: Rome’s Worst Nightmare” fits any of those situations nicely and it’s available free on You Read more