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There were many reasons as to why Carthage was victorious in its many battles against Rome during the second Punic war (218BC - 201BC). However the most important was Carthage’s general, Hannibal Barca (247BC - 183BC). It was not only Hannibal’s battle tactics, but also his superior leadership tactics that led to his near complete annihilation of Rome.
Possibly the most remarkable tactic of Hannibal’s was his ability to lead and inspire men under his command. Hannibal’s army consisted completely of mercenaries - it was money not nationalism that was their inspiration to fight. ... The Gauls especially had been at war with the Romans for hundreds of years with many of the men joining Hannibal’s army having seen their families and friends butchered in earlier Rome campaigns. It was this hatred that lead to Hannibal raising such an army against Rome. ... You need to know how to inspire and inspire to a degree of near blind faith, but most important of all you need to know what your doing and Hannibal did.
Brought up in the battlefields of Spain and being the son of the renowned commander of the Carthaginian forces in Spain, Hamilcar Barca, Hannibal was well suited to leading an army against Rome. Hannibal grew up knowing how to command men in battle. After his father was killed in a battle Hannibal was given command of the cavalry forces, a move that would give him invaluable experience for the years to come. It was this and the fact he knew what warfare was like on the common soldier, having been one himself, that was the major factor of Hannibal being able to command his forces. During the long periods between the campaigns Hannibal not only tried to do as much as he could to see that his men where well cared for, but he also provided entertainment for them in the form of miniature gladiatorial battles. These battles involved captured Romans who where made to fight for their freedom for the entertainment of his troops (Abc, 2002, video, Hannibal - the man who hated Rome).
Approximate Word count = 1615
Approximate Pages = 6.5
(250 words per page double spaced)
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