Comments on: WEEKLY QUESTION- THE PUNIC WARS AND HANNIBAL http://balboahsroom208.edublogs.org/2008/02/17/weekly-question-the-punic-wars-and-hannibal/ The Web Home of Balboa Academy High School's Best History Students Thu, 13 Mar 2008 22:36:50 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.2 hourly 1 By: chris abbott http://balboahsroom208.edublogs.org/2008/02/17/weekly-question-the-punic-wars-and-hannibal/comment-page-1/#comment-368 chris abbott Sat, 08 Mar 2008 03:03:43 +0000 http://balboahsroom208.edublogs.org/2008/02/17/weekly-question-the-punic-wars-and-hannibal/#comment-368 Hannibal's father which is Hamlicar Barca who was in the first punic war and fought againsts the romans.After his death Hannibal started the second punic war to get revenge,but the romans had a stragety called "Fabian Tactics".Hannibal had the elephants to scare the romans with his unique tactic Quintus Fabius was elected dictator of Rome during the Second Punic War. His strategy was not to go directly to Hannibal and fight, but to stay in high grounds so his cavalry wouldn’t attack his army,but the tactic of Fabian failed so rome elected another guy called "Cornilius Scipio" If Hannibal had conquered Rome it would be much different from the story we have. Hannibal’s father which is Hamlicar Barca who was in the first punic war and fought againsts the romans.After his death Hannibal started the second punic war to get revenge,but the romans had a stragety called “Fabian Tactics”.Hannibal had the elephants to scare the romans with his unique tactic

Quintus Fabius was elected dictator of Rome during the Second Punic War. His strategy was not to go directly to Hannibal and fight, but to stay in high grounds so his cavalry wouldn’t attack his army,but the tactic of Fabian failed so rome elected another guy called “Cornilius Scipio”

If Hannibal had conquered Rome it would be much different from the story we have.

]]> By: Richard Moreno http://balboahsroom208.edublogs.org/2008/02/17/weekly-question-the-punic-wars-and-hannibal/comment-page-1/#comment-363 Richard Moreno Fri, 07 Mar 2008 00:21:12 +0000 http://balboahsroom208.edublogs.org/2008/02/17/weekly-question-the-punic-wars-and-hannibal/#comment-363 In the Second Punic War, what was the importance of Carthaginian general Hannibal Barca during the campaign against the Roman army and why was Quintus Fabius’ strategy to deal with Hannibal so unique to the Roman military? During the Second Punic War, general Hannibal Barca was extremely important, because he achieved some of the most incredible accomplishments in war ever. He would come up with ingenious formations and strategies. He would come up with things nobody else would have imagined. He was the only general that was able to defeat and scare the military force of Rome. In the Battle of Cannae, he successfully crossed the Alps with his entire army and elephants, not all survived, but he made it. He arrived at Italy with 40,000 troops, while Rome had 70,000. But, Hannibal accomplished to defeat his enemy (clearly outnumbered) with his strategies and tactics. Nobody dared to attack Carthage for 13 years until Rome elected Scipio as proconsul at 19 years old (not even old enough to be a questor). He decided to attack Carthage with what is known as the Fabian Tactic, which is not to attack head to head but with trickery. He sent troops to Spain and attacked Hannibal’s brother Mago and sent his head to Hannibal inside a basket. Then, attacked Hannibal unexpectedly. There, he used the same strategy that Hannibal used against Rome 13 years before. Carthage was defeated by Rome by an incredible difference. Later, Scipio was given the title of “Scipio Africanus.” Hypothesize what might have happened to the balance of power in the Mediterranean if Hannibal had conquered the city of Rome. If Carthage would have defeated Rome in the Second Punic War, there would be a lot of differences. First of all, Rome is the main influence of the modern world. There probably wouldn’t be Catholicism, or the English language. Carthage would have power of the Mediterranean. And we could be sacrificing little children and worshipping monsters. The world would be a completely different place as we know it. In the Second Punic War, what was the importance of Carthaginian general Hannibal Barca during the campaign against the Roman army and why was Quintus Fabius’ strategy to deal with Hannibal so unique to the Roman military?
During the Second Punic War, general Hannibal Barca was extremely important, because he achieved some of the most incredible accomplishments in war ever. He would come up with ingenious formations and strategies. He would come up with things nobody else would have imagined. He was the only general that was able to defeat and scare the military force of Rome. In the Battle of Cannae, he successfully crossed the Alps with his entire army and elephants, not all survived, but he made it. He arrived at Italy with 40,000 troops, while Rome had 70,000. But, Hannibal accomplished to defeat his enemy (clearly outnumbered) with his strategies and tactics.
Nobody dared to attack Carthage for 13 years until Rome elected Scipio as proconsul at 19 years old (not even old enough to be a questor). He decided to attack Carthage with what is known as the Fabian Tactic, which is not to attack head to head but with trickery. He sent troops to Spain and attacked Hannibal’s brother Mago and sent his head to Hannibal inside a basket. Then, attacked Hannibal unexpectedly. There, he used the same strategy that Hannibal used against Rome 13 years before. Carthage was defeated by Rome by an incredible difference. Later, Scipio was given the title of “Scipio Africanus.”

Hypothesize what might have happened to the balance of power in the Mediterranean if Hannibal had conquered the city of Rome.

If Carthage would have defeated Rome in the Second Punic War, there would be a lot of differences. First of all, Rome is the main influence of the modern world. There probably wouldn’t be Catholicism, or the English language. Carthage would have power of the Mediterranean. And we could be sacrificing little children and worshipping monsters. The world would be a completely different place as we know it.

]]> By: Alexandra Eskildsen http://balboahsroom208.edublogs.org/2008/02/17/weekly-question-the-punic-wars-and-hannibal/comment-page-1/#comment-362 Alexandra Eskildsen Fri, 07 Mar 2008 00:14:42 +0000 http://balboahsroom208.edublogs.org/2008/02/17/weekly-question-the-punic-wars-and-hannibal/#comment-362 What was so important about the Carthaginian General Hannibal Barca was his unique strategy. When the Romans approached him, Hannibal let them through and when they thought the war was over Hannibal’s cavalry surrounded them in the back, killing all hope they have of winning. Quintus Fabius was elected dictator of Rome during the Second Punic War. His strategy was not to go directly to Hannibal and fight, but to stay in high grounds so his cavalry wouldn’t attack his army. But this strategy failed, and when Fabius´s term was over they elected another dictator called Scipio. If Hannibal would have conquered Rome, history as we know it would be totally different. Carthaginians were very superstitious, and believed in monstrous gods, and they grew up in fear, and this would change Rome because they would kill a child to satisfy their god. Also the government would change because they wouldn’t have magistrates. What was so important about the Carthaginian General Hannibal Barca was his unique strategy. When the Romans approached him, Hannibal let them through and when they thought the war was over Hannibal’s cavalry surrounded them in the back, killing all hope they have of winning.

Quintus Fabius was elected dictator of Rome during the Second Punic War. His strategy was not to go directly to Hannibal and fight, but to stay in high grounds so his cavalry wouldn’t attack his army. But this strategy failed, and when Fabius´s term was over they elected another dictator called Scipio.

If Hannibal would have conquered Rome, history as we know it would be totally different. Carthaginians were very superstitious, and believed in monstrous gods, and they grew up in fear, and this would change Rome because they would kill a child to satisfy their god. Also the government would change because they wouldn’t have magistrates.

]]> By: Andrea Lucas http://balboahsroom208.edublogs.org/2008/02/17/weekly-question-the-punic-wars-and-hannibal/comment-page-1/#comment-350 Andrea Lucas Wed, 05 Mar 2008 04:38:22 +0000 http://balboahsroom208.edublogs.org/2008/02/17/weekly-question-the-punic-wars-and-hannibal/#comment-350 Hannibal Barca, son of famous Carthaginian general Hamlicar Barca was a genius in the in the ancient world when it came to war tactics. Hannibal barca had many achievements in the second Punic war. First crossing the Alps, which had seemed impossible to the Romans and later winning the battle at Cannae although being out numbered. As young child, sworn by his father to forever detest the Romans was he able to have the courage to stand up against them and almost defeat them in the second Punic war. This young mastermind used different methods of defeating the opponent that did not necessary involve more people. He never let the enemy know how strong he really was or how many people he really had. The Romans made a great mistake in underestimating Hannibal because of his small population in comparison to their own in the battle at Cannae, in which Rome had an estimated 73,000 soldiers and Carthage had an estimated 42,000. Hannibal’s unique military formation of convex, crescent shaped lines that slowly became concave under pressure of the Roman elite troops in the center, which, being encircled and finally surrounded by the Carthaginian cavalry in the rear, failed to break through the Carthaginian lines and were destroyed. The casualties resulting form the battle at Cannae was an estimated 70,000 soldiers for the Romans and about 6,000 for Carthage. After this Battle, Hannibal was almost sure that Rome would admit defeat, and so he put down his guard. However, he was wrong in making that assumption about the Romans. Quintus Fabius has elected dictator in the second Punic war to once and for all defeat the Carthaginians. His technique in defeating the Carthaginians was unique because it involved never confronting them head on. His method was to separate Hannibal’s diverse army group by group when he least expected it, and from any end but head on. To the Romans this method seemed cowardly and unethical, but reluctantly followed it because of the desperate conditions in which they where in and because they were not about to surrender, because that was simply not in the books for the Romans to lose. If it were not for the Romans defeating the Carthaginians, the whole world not only the Mediterranean world would have been different. Not only would the laws and government would be completely different, but there would probably even be human sacrifices! Hannibal Barca, son of famous Carthaginian general Hamlicar Barca was a genius in the in the ancient world when it came to war tactics. Hannibal barca had many achievements in the second Punic war. First crossing the Alps, which had seemed impossible to the Romans and later winning the battle at Cannae although being out numbered. As young child, sworn by his father to forever detest the Romans was he able to have the courage to stand up against them and almost defeat them in the second Punic war. This young mastermind used different methods of defeating the opponent that did not necessary involve more people. He never let the enemy know how strong he really was or how many people he really had. The Romans made a great mistake in underestimating Hannibal because of his small population in comparison to their own in the battle at Cannae, in which Rome had an estimated 73,000 soldiers and Carthage had an estimated 42,000. Hannibal’s unique military formation of convex, crescent shaped lines that slowly became concave under pressure of the Roman elite troops in the center, which, being encircled and finally surrounded by the Carthaginian cavalry in the rear, failed to break through the Carthaginian lines and were destroyed. The casualties resulting form the battle at Cannae was an estimated 70,000 soldiers for the Romans and about 6,000 for Carthage. After this Battle, Hannibal was almost sure that Rome would admit defeat, and so he put down his guard. However, he was wrong in making that assumption about the Romans.
Quintus Fabius has elected dictator in the second Punic war to once and for all defeat the Carthaginians. His technique in defeating the Carthaginians was unique because it involved never confronting them head on. His method was to separate Hannibal’s diverse army group by group when he least expected it, and from any end but head on. To the Romans this method seemed cowardly and unethical, but reluctantly followed it because of the desperate conditions in which they where in and because they were not about to surrender, because that was simply not in the books for the Romans to lose.
If it were not for the Romans defeating the Carthaginians, the whole world not only the Mediterranean world would have been different. Not only would the laws and government would be completely different, but there would probably even be human sacrifices!

]]> By: Patricia Oviedo http://balboahsroom208.edublogs.org/2008/02/17/weekly-question-the-punic-wars-and-hannibal/comment-page-1/#comment-327 Patricia Oviedo Wed, 05 Mar 2008 00:04:43 +0000 http://balboahsroom208.edublogs.org/2008/02/17/weekly-question-the-punic-wars-and-hannibal/#comment-327 Hannibal Barca was the son of the leader of the 1rst Punic war, Hamilcar Barca. All his life Hannibal had been taught to hate and fight the Romans. After the Romans defeated his father in the first Punic war Hannibal wanted revenge, so he became the general of Carthage in the second Punic war. Hannibal’s presence in the second Punic war made a big difference and was very important. First of all he was an excellent leader and led the Carthaginians into victory many times; he also had brilliant war tactics that no one ever had thought of before. Since he was a great and intelligent leader he realized that his army had a disadvantage, they didn’t have a fleet, so instead he jeopardized the lives of his soldiers and went all around the Alps to surprise the Romans. Even though Hannibal knew that he was facing the strongest army of soldiers in the Mediterranean, he never showed his weaknesses to the Romans. Hannibal also knew that it would be much easier to defeat the Romans if he had Rome’s allies in his side. Some agreed to join the Carthaginian army while majority of them like Italy preferred to stay on the Romans side. Hannibal’s strategies for war were always very clever and they are still admired today. Hannibal Barcas plan would’ve made the Carthaginians win the war, if Quintus Fabius hadn’t been elected as a dictator. Quintus Fabius like Hannibal was very bright and carefully analyzed what could be good way to defeat the Carthaginians. Finally he came up with a strategy that had never been used in a war specially coming from the Romans. His plan was simply not to fight their opponents at all. The Roman army would follow the Carthaginians and avoid fighting with them, at last Quintus Fabius accomplished what he wanted, Hannibal’s army decreased in size and at last was defeated. Many Romans thought Quintus strategy would be a disaster, because the Romans were used to a different method, they were used to fight and face their enemies with bravery. This strategy that was then called the Fabian strategy, it is very clever and even though it was unpopular in Rome, it helped the Romans win the Second Punic War. I think that if Hannibal’s army had won and taken over Rome, it would’ve changed the whole history. The Carthaginians would’ve probably changed the name, and Rome wouldn’t be so important today. Since the Carthaginians worshipped different gods and had another religion, Christianity would never have been introduced to the world and we would probably be doing things totally different from the ones that we do today. Hannibal Barca was the son of the leader of the 1rst Punic war, Hamilcar Barca. All his life Hannibal had been taught to hate and fight the Romans. After the Romans defeated his father in the first Punic war Hannibal wanted revenge, so he became the general of Carthage in the second Punic war. Hannibal’s presence in the second Punic war made a big difference and was very important. First of all he was an excellent leader and led the Carthaginians into victory many times; he also had brilliant war tactics that no one ever had thought of before. Since he was a great and intelligent leader he realized that his army had a disadvantage, they didn’t have a fleet, so instead he jeopardized the lives of his soldiers and went all around the Alps to surprise the Romans. Even though Hannibal knew that he was facing the strongest army of soldiers in the Mediterranean, he never showed his weaknesses to the Romans. Hannibal also knew that it would be much easier to defeat the Romans if he had Rome’s allies in his side. Some agreed to join the Carthaginian army while majority of them like Italy preferred to stay on the Romans side. Hannibal’s strategies for war were always very clever and they are still admired today.
Hannibal Barcas plan would’ve made the Carthaginians win the war, if Quintus Fabius hadn’t been elected as a dictator. Quintus Fabius like Hannibal was very bright and carefully analyzed what could be good way to defeat the Carthaginians. Finally he came up with a strategy that had never been used in a war specially coming from the Romans. His plan was simply not to fight their opponents at all. The Roman army would follow the Carthaginians and avoid fighting with them, at last Quintus Fabius accomplished what he wanted, Hannibal’s army decreased in size and at last was defeated. Many Romans thought Quintus strategy would be a disaster, because the Romans were used to a different method, they were used to fight and face their enemies with bravery. This strategy that was then called the Fabian strategy, it is very clever and even though it was unpopular in Rome, it helped the Romans win the Second Punic War.
I think that if Hannibal’s army had won and taken over Rome, it would’ve changed the whole history. The Carthaginians would’ve probably changed the name, and Rome wouldn’t be so important today. Since the Carthaginians worshipped different gods and had another religion, Christianity would never have been introduced to the world and we would probably be doing things totally different from the ones that we do today.

]]> By: Maria Cristo http://balboahsroom208.edublogs.org/2008/02/17/weekly-question-the-punic-wars-and-hannibal/comment-page-1/#comment-321 Maria Cristo Tue, 04 Mar 2008 04:02:34 +0000 http://balboahsroom208.edublogs.org/2008/02/17/weekly-question-the-punic-wars-and-hannibal/#comment-321 During the Second Punic War, there was a well respected general from Carthage named Hamilcar Barca. Hamlicar Barca’s worst enemy was Rome. He hated Rome so much, that when his oldest son was very young, he made him swear on oath to always be an enemy of Rome. Hannibal grew up hating Rome, and when he was old enough, he decided to cross the Alps with a well trained army to attack Rome by land. Hannibal led Carthage and other allies that united to him into many battles, and was victorious in many of them. The allies included Spanish soldiers, slingers, North Africa Soldiers, and people from Gaul that were also tired of the Romans. Hannibal was successful because of his witty strategies, and one of them included recruiting allies. Hannibal tried to break apart the Roman system by separating Italian allies from Rome, but his plan failed because the villages seemed to prefer Rome because of many factors such as different language, religion, and the thought that it was better to be a part of Rome. Hannibal won many battles, including the major battle of Cannae, where he took 70,000 Roman lives, again because of his witty strategies. Quintus Fabius’ was an appointed dictator by the Roman council to attempt and finish Hannibal once and for all. Fabius was not like many other Roman leaders that attacked their enemy head on, he did the opposite. Don’t confront them head on, he would tell his soldiers, and at first the council liked the idea, even though it was a very unusual strategy for the Romans. Fabius’ strategy was to keep Hannibal from what he loved most; war. Instead, he would go after foragers, and cut their supply of food. Many think that his strategy might have worked, but soon the Romans grew desperate and started calling Fabius a “dawdler.” When his term was over, two councilmen that would lead Rome into the battle of Cannae were elected as leaders. My prediction is that if Hannibal would’ve been able to actually conquer the most powerful republic of the time, then nothing would be the same today. For one thing, we wouldn’t have the very important influence ancient Rome gave to our lives, and probably would be following very different governments and lifestyles. Carthage was very rich in culture, and the world today would probably not be how we know it. It would be full of Carthage cultures, or maybe not even. Maybe Carthage wouldn’t have given us the influence ancient Rome because the world wouldn’t have considered it as important as to adapt their cultures like Rome. There is also a big possibility that Christianity wouldn’t have spread thought the world like it did also. During the Second Punic War, there was a well respected general from
Carthage named Hamilcar Barca. Hamlicar Barca’s worst enemy was Rome. He hated Rome so much, that when his oldest son was very young, he made him swear on oath to always be an enemy of Rome. Hannibal grew up hating Rome, and when he was old enough, he decided to cross the Alps with a well trained army to attack Rome by land. Hannibal led Carthage and other allies that united to him into many battles, and was victorious in many of them. The allies included Spanish soldiers, slingers, North Africa Soldiers, and people from Gaul that were also tired of the Romans. Hannibal was successful because of his witty strategies, and one of them included recruiting allies. Hannibal tried to break apart the Roman system by separating Italian allies from Rome, but his plan failed because the villages seemed to prefer Rome because of many factors such as different language, religion, and the thought that it was better to be a part of Rome. Hannibal won many battles, including the major battle of Cannae, where he took 70,000 Roman lives, again because of his witty strategies.

Quintus Fabius’ was an appointed dictator by the Roman council to attempt and finish Hannibal once and for all. Fabius was not like many other Roman leaders that attacked their enemy head on, he did the opposite. Don’t confront them head on, he would tell his soldiers, and at first the council liked the idea, even though it was a very unusual strategy for the Romans. Fabius’ strategy was to keep Hannibal from what he loved most; war. Instead, he would go after foragers, and cut their supply of food. Many think that his strategy might have worked, but soon the Romans grew desperate and started calling Fabius a “dawdler.” When his term was over, two councilmen that would lead Rome into the battle of Cannae were elected as leaders.

My prediction is that if Hannibal would’ve been able to actually conquer the most powerful republic of the time, then nothing would be the same today. For one thing, we wouldn’t have the very important influence ancient Rome gave to our lives, and probably would be following very different governments and lifestyles. Carthage was very rich in culture, and the world today would probably not be how we know it. It would be full of Carthage cultures, or maybe not even. Maybe Carthage wouldn’t have given us the influence ancient Rome because the world wouldn’t have considered it as important as to adapt their cultures like Rome. There is also a big possibility that Christianity wouldn’t have spread thought the world like it did also.

]]> By: Juan Jimenez http://balboahsroom208.edublogs.org/2008/02/17/weekly-question-the-punic-wars-and-hannibal/comment-page-1/#comment-318 Juan Jimenez Wed, 20 Feb 2008 04:53:35 +0000 http://balboahsroom208.edublogs.org/2008/02/17/weekly-question-the-punic-wars-and-hannibal/#comment-318 First of all Hannibal Barcawas was son of Hamilacar Barcawas. The importance of Hannibal Barcawas during the campaign against the roman army was that Hannibal Barca was that he didn’t want Rome to be so powerful and he wanted to rule Rome. To get to Rome he had one way to get to Rome and it was the by the Alps. Quintus Fabius´startegy was that he would not engage Hannibal head to head but rather keep his forces on high ground where Hannibal’s cavalry had no advantage or Fabius strategy towards Hannibal was successful because this strategy harasses its enemy, causing exhaustment. What might happened to the balance of power in the Mediterranean if Hannibal had conquered the city of Rome is that all the 60 elephants all the 4,000 cavalry and all 26,000 infantry would drown in the water and they would have nothing of the city of Rome. Mr. S says: This is the problem when you cut and paste..you end up using the same material someone else used and even their same mispellings..exhaustment? is that a word?who is Barcawas? This needs to be re-written..and this time do your own work... First of all Hannibal Barcawas was son of Hamilacar Barcawas. The importance of Hannibal Barcawas during the campaign against the roman army was that Hannibal Barca was that he didn’t want Rome to be so powerful and he wanted to rule Rome. To get to Rome he had one way to get to Rome and it was the by the Alps. Quintus Fabius´startegy was that he would not engage Hannibal head to head but rather keep his forces on high ground where Hannibal’s cavalry had no advantage or Fabius strategy towards Hannibal was successful because this strategy harasses its enemy, causing exhaustment.

What might happened to the balance of power in the Mediterranean if Hannibal had conquered the city of Rome is that all the 60 elephants all the 4,000 cavalry and all 26,000 infantry would drown in the water and they would have nothing of the city of Rome.

Mr. S says: This is the problem when you cut and paste..you end up using the same material someone else used and even their same mispellings..exhaustment? is that a word?who is Barcawas?

This needs to be re-written..and this time do your own work…

]]> By: Gabriela yemail http://balboahsroom208.edublogs.org/2008/02/17/weekly-question-the-punic-wars-and-hannibal/comment-page-1/#comment-317 Gabriela yemail Wed, 20 Feb 2008 04:31:34 +0000 http://balboahsroom208.edublogs.org/2008/02/17/weekly-question-the-punic-wars-and-hannibal/#comment-317 Being born in war and around death can change a person. It can make them evil, hostile, and even deranged. Hannibal was the oldest son of the Carthaginian general Hamilcar Barca, who had been in war with Rome for years. Hannibal had been raised to hate the Romans, but rather than being a brainless, crazy, brute, Hannibal became one of the most brilliant military leaders that the world has seen and became an important part of the second Punic war; leading Carthage to have its many victories. Rome had declared war and they were determined to beat out Carthage. Rome had not expected that on Carthage’s side was Hannibal, and with Hannibal the mind of a strategic genius. Hannibal was every important to the Punic war; it was because of him that Carthage got its victory. He had discovered his armies own weakness; he knew he had to stay clear from the sea that had a strong Roman naval army prepared to kill on sight. To avoid the coast he decided to do the impossible, to cross the Alps on foot with an army of 50,000 infantry, 9,000 cavalry and 37 elephants that all needed to be fed to stay strong for the fights to come. Going through the Alps would be the only way to make it to Italy and take a stand against the Romans and win the war. He some how managed to make the journey and gain new allies, 14,000 Gauls that volunteered to serve under Hannibal and won many battles in Italy. Hannibal was even able to defeat armies that had many more soldiers than his own army. At the battle of Cannae, Hannibal defeated an army of 80,000 Romans with his army of 50,000 men. He even managed to kill the consul and many important people of Rome. The Roman’s were losing the battle to Hannibal, and they knew it. It has been years since they have appointed a Dictator. They wanted someone who would do anything to defeat Hannibal and save Rome from anymore shameful defeats; that is the reason that they appointed Quintus Fabius. Fabius was willing to do anything to win, even if it meant that doing something that no proud Roman would; he would refuse to fight. Roman’s are all about fighting hand to hand. Fabius was offering to wait around and let the Carthaginians starve themselves and tire out. To many Romans that was unacceptable, they wanted to stand up against Hannibal, not hide away like cowards. It was not like the Roman military to ignore a fight. But Fabius had the power, and he believed that in order to defeat Hannibal he had to take away what Hannibal wanted, and that was to have an easy shot at the Romans and have his victory. Carthage would have no chance against a force as strong as the Romans that is unless they had Hannibal. Hannibal was an important military leader that fought and won many battles in Carthage’s name. His hate for Rome gave him the strength and the wisdom to carry out amazing military plans, that we today study and admire. If Hannibal had conquered Rome, the world we live in today would be very different. Carthage would have taken over and expanded its territory. If Carthage was ever destroyed it would affect the way we would be today. There is a chance that Christianity would have not spread to all of Europe after Rome’s destruction and it may no longer be one of the main religions in the world today. Rome had created the idea of a republic and having a senate; the United States may have not been created at all or it would have different government. Carthage would have influenced the Europeans in their ways, with the idea of monster for Gods putting fear in their lives. Carthage was a multicultural place and I think that would have created even more different cultures, religions and languages; that would separate us all and we wouldn’t be united. Mr.S Says: Well done..very good points and the fact that representative government would have disappeared had Carthage won is very important.. Being born in war and around death can change a person. It can make them evil, hostile, and even deranged. Hannibal was the oldest son of the Carthaginian general Hamilcar Barca, who had been in war with Rome for years. Hannibal had been raised to hate the Romans, but rather than being a brainless, crazy, brute, Hannibal became one of the most brilliant military leaders that the world has seen and became an important part of the second Punic war; leading Carthage to have its many victories.

Rome had declared war and they were determined to beat out Carthage. Rome had not expected that on Carthage’s side was Hannibal, and with Hannibal the mind of a strategic genius. Hannibal was every important to the Punic war; it was because of him that Carthage got its victory. He had discovered his armies own weakness; he knew he had to stay clear from the sea that had a strong Roman naval army prepared to kill on sight. To avoid the coast he decided to do the impossible, to cross the Alps on foot with an army of 50,000 infantry, 9,000 cavalry and 37 elephants that all needed to be fed to stay strong for the fights to come. Going through the Alps would be the only way to make it to Italy and take a stand against the Romans and win the war. He some how managed to make the journey and gain new allies, 14,000 Gauls that volunteered to serve under Hannibal and won many battles in Italy. Hannibal was even able to defeat armies that had many more soldiers than his own army. At the battle of Cannae, Hannibal defeated an army of 80,000 Romans with his army of 50,000 men. He even managed to kill the consul and many important people of Rome.

The Roman’s were losing the battle to Hannibal, and they knew it. It has been years since they have appointed a Dictator. They wanted someone who would do anything to defeat Hannibal and save Rome from anymore shameful defeats; that is the reason that they appointed Quintus Fabius. Fabius was willing to do anything to win, even if it meant that doing something that no proud Roman would; he would refuse to fight. Roman’s are all about fighting hand to hand. Fabius was offering to wait around and let the Carthaginians starve themselves and tire out. To many Romans that was unacceptable, they wanted to stand up against Hannibal, not hide away like cowards. It was not like the Roman military to ignore a fight. But Fabius had the power, and he believed that in order to defeat Hannibal he had to take away what Hannibal wanted, and that was to have an easy shot at the Romans and have his victory.

Carthage would have no chance against a force as strong as the Romans that is unless they had Hannibal. Hannibal was an important military leader that fought and won many battles in Carthage’s name. His hate for Rome gave him the strength and the wisdom to carry out amazing military plans, that we today study and admire.

If Hannibal had conquered Rome, the world we live in today would be very different. Carthage would have taken over and expanded its territory. If Carthage was ever destroyed it would affect the way we would be today. There is a chance that Christianity would have not spread to all of Europe after Rome’s destruction and it may no longer be one of the main religions in the world today. Rome had created the idea of a republic and having a senate; the United States may have not been created at all or it would have different government. Carthage would have influenced the Europeans in their ways, with the idea of monster for Gods putting fear in their lives. Carthage was a multicultural place and I think that would have created even more different cultures, religions and languages; that would separate us all and we wouldn’t be united.

Mr.S Says: Well done..very good points and the fact that representative government would have disappeared had Carthage won is very important..

]]> By: michelle rozette http://balboahsroom208.edublogs.org/2008/02/17/weekly-question-the-punic-wars-and-hannibal/comment-page-1/#comment-316 michelle rozette Wed, 20 Feb 2008 04:14:04 +0000 http://balboahsroom208.edublogs.org/2008/02/17/weekly-question-the-punic-wars-and-hannibal/#comment-316 Hannibal is important in the second Punic war because of his unique strategies that lead him to win great battles, even though in the end he lost the war, he is remembered for his <strong>incredulous </strong>accomplishments. Hannibal was the son of Hamilicar Barcawas, a Carthaginian general who had intense hatred towards the Romans for defeating him in the first Punic war. The hatred that Hamilicar felt was so strong that he passed it on to his son and made him take an oath to loathing Romans until death. It was this emotion that lead Hannibal to fulfill his fathers wish by using his well-trained arm to attack Rome. Hannibal used unthinkable war tactics, those tactics at that time were seen as obscured because they had never been seen before, but it was those same strategies that helped him gain the trust of Rome’s allies and almost conquer Rome. Hannibal’s first bold move was in Spain when he decided to conquer Sagunatum, which was in Rome’s territory. This angered the Romans but they thought that there was no way that Hannibal could reach them without them annihilating his army first. Hannibal took a secondary route, which shocked everyone, it meant crossing the Alps to reach Rome in a rather complicated way, but he proved it possible when he survived the Alps even after Rome had set up a few obstacles. He crossed the Alps with about 20 elephants. Hannibal won other battles but no victory was as sweet as the battles of Cannae were he destroyed the Roman army. He strategized and came on to Romans and pinned them against a river were he demolished an army of over 70,000 which included consuls and other important people of Rome. After that ambush the Romans began to panic and drafter as many men as they could. When the news go out, the Romans started loosing most of their Allies who switched their support to Carthage. Other tactics that were remembered from the second Punic war was those of the Roman consul, Quintus Fabius. He used a new tactic to the Romans that unfortunately lead them to loose the battle of Cannae. The strategy that he used was of standing in high grounds and delaying the attacks until he resisted fighting. The Romans weren’t fond of being held back because they liked to fight. After this they nicknamed him the delayer and they also gave a nickname to the tactic he used, they called it the “Fabian tactics”. If Hannibal would have conquered Rome then the world, as we know it right now might be completely different. I think there would be drastic changes in society because the modern world all derives from the Romans. So maybe if the modern world had sculpted from Carthage our religion would have been to praise a demon looking God with hostile characteristics. We would have more tolerance seeing as Carthage had people from all parts of the world. The modern world would definitely be a <strong>distinct</strong> place. Mr.S Says: Was Quintus Fabius really responsible for Cannae? Good post and I wonder if you are correct about the future if Hannibal had prevailed over Rome..hmmm a more tolerant place...? maybe but Rome eventually became a very multicultural place... they had the world..but Carthage as a violent and brutal culture..how would they have dealt with the Christians i wonder? Hannibal is important in the second Punic war because of his unique strategies that lead him to win great battles, even though in the end he lost the war, he is remembered for his incredulous accomplishments. Hannibal was the son of Hamilicar Barcawas, a Carthaginian general who had intense hatred towards the Romans for defeating him in the first Punic war. The hatred that Hamilicar felt was so strong that he passed it on to his son and made him take an oath to loathing Romans until death. It was this emotion that lead Hannibal to fulfill his fathers wish by using his well-trained arm to attack Rome.
Hannibal used unthinkable war tactics, those tactics at that time were seen as obscured because they had never been seen before, but it was those same strategies that helped him gain the trust of Rome’s allies and almost conquer Rome. Hannibal’s first bold move was in Spain when he decided to conquer Sagunatum, which was in Rome’s territory. This angered the Romans but they thought that there was no way that Hannibal could reach them without them annihilating his army first. Hannibal took a secondary route, which shocked everyone, it meant crossing the Alps to reach Rome in a rather complicated way, but he proved it possible when he survived the Alps even after Rome had set up a few obstacles. He crossed the Alps with about 20 elephants.
Hannibal won other battles but no victory was as sweet as the battles of Cannae were he destroyed the Roman army. He strategized and came on to Romans and pinned them against a river were he demolished an army of over 70,000 which included consuls and other important people of Rome. After that ambush the Romans began to panic and drafter as many men as they could. When the news go out, the Romans started loosing most of their Allies who switched their support to Carthage.
Other tactics that were remembered from the second Punic war was those of the Roman consul, Quintus Fabius. He used a new tactic to the Romans that unfortunately lead them to loose the battle of Cannae. The strategy that he used was of standing in high grounds and delaying the attacks until he resisted fighting. The Romans weren’t fond of being held back because they liked to fight. After this they nicknamed him the delayer and they also gave a nickname to the tactic he used, they called it the “Fabian tactics”.
If Hannibal would have conquered Rome then the world, as we know it right now might be completely different. I think there would be drastic changes in society because the modern world all derives from the Romans. So maybe if the modern world had sculpted from Carthage our religion would have been to praise a demon looking God with hostile characteristics. We would have more tolerance seeing as Carthage had people from all parts of the world. The modern world would definitely be a distinct place.

Mr.S Says: Was Quintus Fabius really responsible for Cannae? Good post and I wonder if you are correct about the future if Hannibal had prevailed over Rome..hmmm a more tolerant place…? maybe but Rome eventually became a very multicultural place… they had the world..but Carthage as a violent and brutal culture..how would they have dealt with the Christians i wonder?

]]> By: fernando aragon http://balboahsroom208.edublogs.org/2008/02/17/weekly-question-the-punic-wars-and-hannibal/comment-page-1/#comment-315 fernando aragon Wed, 20 Feb 2008 04:12:36 +0000 http://balboahsroom208.edublogs.org/2008/02/17/weekly-question-the-punic-wars-and-hannibal/#comment-315 In the Second Punic War, what was the importance of Carthaginian general Hannibal Barca during the campaign against the Roman army and why was Quintus Fabius’ strategy to deal with Hannibal so unique to the Roman military? and: Hypothesize what might have happened to the balance of power in the Mediterranean if Hannibal had conquered the city of Rome. The Carthaginian general Hannibal Barca was very important during the campaign against the roman army because when he marched an army, there were war elephants from Iberia. As the romans saw that they were loosing the very iportant second Punic War, they made Fabius Maximus the roman military dictator. Fabius strategy towards Hannibal wa succesful because this strategy harasses its enemy, causing <strong>exhaustment.</strong> In my opinion if Hannibal had conquered the city of rome it wouldn´t affect the balance of the power in the mediterranean. I think it wouldn’t affect much because The roman empire was the biggest empire in the world at that time. Mr.S Says: Fernando...I think you really missed something on that last comment...who can help him out..Empire? what empire..it's a republic.. In the Second Punic War, what was the importance of Carthaginian general Hannibal Barca during the campaign against the Roman army and why was Quintus Fabius’ strategy to deal with Hannibal so unique to the Roman military?
and:
Hypothesize what might have happened to the balance of power in the Mediterranean if Hannibal had conquered the city of Rome.

The Carthaginian general Hannibal Barca was very important during the campaign against the roman army because when he marched an army, there were war elephants from Iberia. As the romans saw that they were loosing the very iportant second Punic War, they made Fabius Maximus the roman military dictator. Fabius strategy towards Hannibal wa succesful because this strategy harasses its enemy, causing exhaustment.

In my opinion if Hannibal had conquered the city of rome it wouldn´t affect the balance of the power in the mediterranean. I think it wouldn’t affect much because The roman empire was the biggest empire in the world at that time.

Mr.S Says: Fernando…I think you really missed something on that last comment…who can help him out..Empire? what empire..it’s a republic..

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