BAAO COMMUNITY COLLEGE

San Juan, Baao Camarines Sur

WRITING ABOUT HISTORY

World History – I

Joseph B. Pascua BSE-1E October 22, 2021

A HISTORICAL NARRATIVE OF THE SECOND PUNIC WAR

The War between Carthage led by their greatest warrior Hannibal and
Rome began when the latter wage war after the former refused to withdraw
from Saguntum (Sagunto) on the east coast of Iberian Peninsula. The Romans
sent a warning to Hannibal to proceed not with his plan to invade Saguntum, a
town which can be found in Valencia, Spain. Hannibal wasn’t really afraid of
the warning and he enjoyed the backing of the Carthaginian government. The
Rome would eventually demand an ultimatum from the Carthaginian
government to hand down Hannibal and other warriors who besieged
Saguntum. Carthage, interested with the idea of occupying Saguntum, declined
thus sparking the second Punic War.

In 219 BCE, Hannibal with over 20,000 infantry and 6,000 cavalries
have crossed the Alps and arrived in the Po River in 218 BCE. Their military
journey was delayed by the Roman troops but they were no match Hannibal
troops. Eventually, the Carthaginians captured northern Italy. In 217 BCE,
with the help of the Gallic tribesmen, Hannibal avoided a direct assault over
Rome, instead he marched through Capua. Then, Hannibal became successful
in several battles including the victory at Cannae in 216. However, the city of
Capua was reclaimed by the Romans in 211 BCE through the brilliance of
Quintus Fabius Maximus. 1n 207, Hasdrubal, marched to help Hannibal to
invade Rome but Gaius Nero defeated him on the banks of Metauros River.

The Roman victory over Carthage began when Publius Scipio won a
decisive battle at Ilipa in 2016 which forced the Carthaginians out of Spain.
Hannibal and his troop fell and defeated at the battle of Zama. Then, Scipio
agreed a peace treaty to Carthage. In return, Carthage was forced to pay an
indemnity and surrender its navy. Finally, the Mediterranean islands were
ceded to Rome.

References:

Cartwright, Mark. “Saguntum”. World History Encyclopedia, 05 September

2016, worldhistory.org. Accessed 23 October 2021.

Britannica, The Editors of the Encyclopedia. “Second Punic War”. Encyclopedia

Britannica, 24 July 2014, https://www.britannica.com/event/Second-Punic-
War Accessed 23 October 2021.