n 218 B.C., Hannibal began the most daring military move in history, that of invading Rome by way of the Alps. But why did this African military genius decide to war against Rome?
Before Hannibal's birth, the Romans ruled Italy, and the Carthaginians ruled Carthage in North Africa. The Carthaginians also ruled the Mediterranean Islands of Corsica, Sardinia, and Syracuse (now know as Sicily). The Carthaginians were content as things were, but the Romans were military expansionists. So the Romans broke their treaty with the Carthaginians by expanding their empire into Sicily, and the First Punic War began (264 B.C.).

In 247 B.C., Hamilcar Barca took command of the Carthaginian army and his son, Hannibal, was born. Hannibal was born to one of the most distinguished families in Carthage--the Barcas.

After losing a decisive sea battle, the Carthaginians recalled Hamilcar Barca and sued for peace. Rome, however, demanded not only Sicily, but Corsica, Sardinia, and all the islands between Sicily and Africa. In addition, the Carthaginians were compelled to pay a large tribute. In order to recoup their losses, the Carthaginians rebuilt their empire in Spain. In 237 B.C., Hamilcar and Hannibal left for Spain. It took nine years for Hamilcar to conquer or win over the native tribes of Spain. These tribes were no match for the Carthaginian's training in disciplined warfare. As a result, all of the land south of the Ebro River in Spain became New Carthage. In 230 B.C., Hamilcar was killed in battle, and command of the army was left to his son-in-law, Hasdrubal.

During all of Hannibal's years in Spain, first under his father and then under his brother-in-law, Hasdrubal, he was taught the world of the soldier. When Hasdrubal was murdered in 221 B.C., there was never a doubt as to his successor. It was inevitable that upon the death of Hasdrubal, Hannibal would succeed him. At the age of twenty-six, he was chosen by the army as their new commander.

Saguntum was a province of New Carthage inhabited by Greeks. After the Greeks attacked some of the tribes in New Carthage, the Romans sided with them and declared themselves protectorates of Saguntum. Knowing that the long term goal of the Romans was to gain control of New Carthage, Hannibal decided to make the first move. He attacked Saguntum, beginning the Second Punic War (218 B.C.) The Romans prepared to invade New Carthage, but Hannibal was not preparing a defense strategy.

With thirty-seven elephants, Hannibal's army climbed through the Pyrenees, across the Rhone, over the Alps and into Italy. The Roman general Publius Cornelius Scipio tried unsuccessfully to check Hannibal's advances into Italy. Attempting another strategy, he attacked Carthage but was defeated and killed. For the next sixteen years, Hannibal successfully waged war against every Roman legion sent to defeat him. He left a path of destroyed cities and bridges and a huge Roman death toll.

Rome had lost half a million men in battle, when Publius Cornelius Scipio's son, called Scipio the Younger, took command. Scipio the Younger decided to take the risk of striking at Carthage. In 204 B.C., Scipio and an army of 25,000 men landed in Carthage. Hearing of the invasion, Hannibal headed back to North Africa. On the plain of Zama, Scipio and Hannibal aligned their armies for battle. Hannibal's soldiers fought a courageous fight, but they were outflanked and defeated by the powerful Roman legions. Hannibal then sent word to Carthage, "We have lost not only a battle, but the war. Accept the terms of peace offered."

After the ratification of a peace treaty, Hannibal became the Chief Magistrate of Carthage. Hannibal increased the stability and prosperity of Carthage so well that Carthage soon regained its place as the commercial capital of the western Mediterranean. The Romans were not only nervous about a quick recovery for Carthage, but were afraid that Hannibal would wage another war. In 195 B.C., the Romans demanded his arrest. Hannibal fled Carthage beginning a life of wandering and exile. In 182 B.C., to avoid capture by the Romans, Hannibal committed suicide by drinking a vial of poison.

An interesting fact: the Roman General, Scipio the Younger, became forever known as Scipio Africanus, honoring his defeat of the great African general Hannibal.

http://www.cwo.com/~lucumi/hannibal.html

There have been two schools of thought on this, afrcentrist believe he was black while others would suggest that he was more white because of his semitic language.confused3

Also http://library.flawlesslogic.com/negro.htm

this websites dismisses the fact that hannibal was even remotly black.

The website makes a few good points, but I will have to look into the matter more thoroughly before I can say either way. At any rate, I would take everything you learn from that website with a grain of salt. It is part of a White racialist page, so they of course would try to skew things in their favour. Some of it is quite ridiculous, like suggesting that Chinese culture was founded by whites or that one of the Egyptian pharoahs was an Aryan.

@Tayasene. I think JA Rogers whose approach to history is following the gentic line along with a range other tricks puts the matter beyond dispute. JA Rogers Great Men of Color Vol 2.



FBconfused3

It's history, no one really knows for sure. Everything is speculation from both sides. But some afrocentrists have become entreanched in believing everything from africa is African which is very wrong. Carthage is,I think current day Tunisia which is comprised of many ethnically mixed groups: Arabs, Egyptians, and Nubians.

@fredblack I will look for that book, doubt it will be at the local library but maybe chapters. What's the author's take on the issue?

By the way, two movies are set to be released about this Cathagian conqurer in the years to come. Coincidently, both movies will be taking opposite side of the dispute.

One will star Denzel Washington as Hannibal, while the other will star Vin Diesal(spelling) as Hannibal.

http://www.upi.com/view.cfm?StoryID=...6-074042-7469r

http://www.richardpoe.com/column.cgi?story=112
Just a couple of articles from both camps.

@Taysen. Your avatar gives me joke. J A Rogers is not an Afrocentricist or anything like that.



FB

Tay:

It's true that Hannibal was an African but I don't believe he was a black man.

I used to think he was black, but upon studying the history of the Berbers I found out that they were originally white/sea people related to the Phillistines in the Middle East.

Many North African Bebers are now dark from mixing with Arabs and black AFricans...but originally they were white people.


Even his name "HanniBAAL" tells that he was a worshipper of the Canaanite god Bal.

True, his phenotype would more closelyresemble arab than black. He was pheonician(spelling), from lebanon or some other middle east country. It's likely he wasdarker than usual because of the sun, this was more than likelythe reason for the roman's pejorative remarks. But there was a black population in Carthage, and it's more than likely they were included in the army.confused3

I just wasn't sure, but now I know. niceone.gif

Yes, there was and still is a very large black population that roam the deserts in Northern Africa despite the settlements of Berbers and Arabs.

The Moors were primarily made up of these nomadic blacks.


I forgot to say Salaams bro...haven't seen ya in a while.

@ahmaad

Salaam bro

yeah been busy with exams and school.



There has been some misconceptions about his origins mainly from afrocentrists who believe he was black, also Cleopatra who was greek has been described as black as well. But, in reality Africans have their own history without having to include these people.

Too bad Vin Diesel will kill the legend with the movie he's filming now of the famous general.

Most historian will tell you that Cleaopatra was almost 100% greek, the confusian comes from the fact she was the first of her people to actually speak Egyptian and learn egyptian culture dress etc. Hannibal was of royal blood as well so chances oflocal blood interfering in theroyal familywould be limited. The pheonicians were a caste conscious people and no one was allowed to marry and mingle with thelocals.

@BS yeah like I said earlier two movies areset to be released, one withVin and one with Denzel, as far as acting is concernedDenzel hasVin beat, but people argue thatas far as historical accuracy is concerned Vin Diesal is right for the part in terms ofphysical resemblance.