Hannibal (PARTS 1 - 5) ⚔️ Rome's Greatest Enemy ⚔️ Second Punic War

by Panzer
After general Hasdrubal the Fair was assassinated by a Celtic slave, 26-year old Hannibal was
elected as the new Carthaginian commander.
The young general immediately made plans to invade Rome, but he couldn't begin the campaign
before strengthening Carthage's control over the Iberian peninsula.
So Hannibal went to work...
He launched two highly successful campaigns in 221 and 220 BC, extending Carthaginian
influence beyond the Tagus river.
But while on the return route to New Carthage, Hannibal was taken by surprise, by a coalition
of Iberian tribes.
Led by the Carpetani tribe, the Iberians assembled a large army.
They blocked Hannibal's path and fortified their position against the Tagus river, then
waited for the Carthaginian general to attack.
Here, Hannibal showed his military genius for the first time.
Instead of attacking the Iberians head-on, he erected his own fortified camp and waited.
By day's end his scouts found a river crossing to the south-east.
During wee hours of the night, Hannibal ordered a small contingent to stay in the camp and
keep all campfires burning, creating the illusion that the whole Carthaginian army was still encamped.
Meanwhile, he led his army on a swift flanking maneuver further up the river.
By sunrise the next day Hannibal was behind the Iberian position, feigning retreat towards
New Carthage.
Thinking that the Carthaginians were retreating, Iberians rushed to intercept them.
But once they were midstream Hannibal sprung his trap and unleashed his cavalry.
Iberian infantrymen, chest-deep in the fast flowing river, couldn't offer much resistance
and were cut down with ease by the Carthaginian cavalry charge.
Those who managed to cross were trampled by the elephants.
By now the Iberian army lost all cohesion and the mass of tribal warriors started fleeing.
Hannibal ordered his army to pursue them across the river, completely routing the enemy.
On the Tagus river, Hannibal had his first major victory.
But Rome took notice.
Wanting to stop Hannibal's expansion, the Romans made their presence felt.
Already allied with the wealthy and powerful city of Saguntum, Rome declared it their protectorate
- an act that Hannibal percieved as a violation of the treaty signed by the two great powers
in 225 BC, which divided the Iberian peninsula along the Ebro river into Carthaginian and
Roman spheres of influence.
A sworn enemy of Rome, it didn't take long before Hannibal acted.
He marched on Saguntum and besieged the city.
In 219 BC, Carthaginian army reached the outskirts of Saguntum.
The city was heavily fortified, situated atop steep slopes and cliffs, high above the surrounding plain.
Saguntines requested aid from Rome, but the Romans were busy fighting the Illyrians.