The Second Punic War - History of the Roman Empire - Part 4
The Second Punic War - History of the Roman Empire - Part 4
By the second half of the 3rd century BC, relations between Rome and Carthage were subpar to put it lightly. The First Punic War had severed the friendship they once shared and the damage seemed permanent; even though the first clash between these former allies wasn’t initially about either of them. In fact, it began after a dispute between Messina and Syracuse that pulled Rome in on the side of Messina and Carthage on the side of Syracuse.
This eventually led to the all-out war that occurred between the two growing regional powers, and it ended with a decisive but hard-earned victory for Rome; and the island of Sicily becoming a province of the victors’, having up until that point belonged to Carthage.
♦Consider supporting the Channel on Patreon and gain cool stuff:
/ knowledgia
♦Please consider to SUBSCRIBE : goo.gl/YJNqek
♦Music by Epidemic Sound
♦Script & Research :
Skylar Gordon
#History #Documentary #Hannibal
Пікірлер: 511
I'm watching this in preparation for oversimplified video on this
@jakubslavicek8394
Жыл бұрын
Was looking EXACTLY for this type of comment
@subham___xd7
9 ай бұрын
Sameee
@maiyrausama7763
8 ай бұрын
ME TOO
@urnan7616
8 ай бұрын
Bruh literally
@ionutrebenciuc3593
7 ай бұрын
Me too
Who’s here because they can’t wait for Oversmiplified part 3 lol
@_LionOfJudah_
3 ай бұрын
Me lmfao
@EclipseMoon-uo6wi
3 ай бұрын
me too 💀
@senithasenadheera9790
3 ай бұрын
Me,
@mrwums2725
3 ай бұрын
Whoever made this video just spoiled the next oversimplified video
@Jay-oj4hj
3 ай бұрын
@@mrwums2725 He made it first tho
When he approaches... we RUN AWAY!
@theforestraining
3 ай бұрын
Genius, he's a genius
@goomerdeluxe2006
3 ай бұрын
Sir. *Your a Genius*
@harveytrillo1091
2 ай бұрын
Oversimplified
@jasondyrkacz8270
2 ай бұрын
It worked against Napoleon and the Aussies.
The fiercest Mediterranean competition in history... The fact that Rome controlled the *entirety* of the Mediterranean coast after such a wild challenge is kinda mind boggling
@nxzi6354
2 жыл бұрын
What about the bronze age collapse ?
@alessiofe
2 жыл бұрын
An named the mediterranean sea mare nostrum, our sea.
@markmorris7123
2 жыл бұрын
@@nxzi6354 but we dont know exactly what happened there.. where as this was recorded in its entirety..All be it from the Roman perspective. It's a pity the Carthagiain library was destroyed
@nxzi6354
2 жыл бұрын
@@markmorris7123 that's what i am talking about. We know that the sea people could be the cause.
@aaln17
2 жыл бұрын
@@nxzi6354 bronze age collapsed around 1000 years before these events, I don't understand the connection.
Hannibal: *crushes Rome at Trebia, Trasamine, and Cannae* Rome: “I didn’t hear no bell.”
@kevin8712
3 ай бұрын
"The victor is not victorious if the vanquished does not consider himself so." Quintus Ennius
@Jay-oj4hj
3 ай бұрын
You don’t come to Rome, Rome will come to you
@Jungleali
3 ай бұрын
@@Jay-oj4hjnot this time tho lol
Definitely the most dramatic of the three wars. It was brutal, and you also see how Rome had to adapt to overcome.
@rad6554
Жыл бұрын
RONE
Hannibal's tragedy was not having the necessary support from other kingdoms/empires, being fighting a stubborn and determined enemy, not having other strategists/great commanders like him on other fronts. And to make matters worse, Carthage entered a war of existence, but it was very disunited and did not give the necessary support to Hannibal in Italy. That Hano, who was called the great, did Rome a great service. And in the end, the one (Rome) who didn't give up and stood together won.
@markmorris7123
2 жыл бұрын
May have been different in he was able to get support from Macedon
@RexidusUR
2 жыл бұрын
lol the idea that Hannibal was betrayed by the Carthaginian politicians or that his own government refused to supply him/ aid him etc is a myth created by Hannibal fanboys
@Shadow.24772
2 жыл бұрын
macedon intervening would've been impossible. Carthage itself didnt help Hannibal. Senate anti-war faction dominating and vetoing the pro-war faction at every turn.
@markmorris7123
Жыл бұрын
@@Shadow.24772 Impossible?? They were in the process of planning to link up their armies,, but the Macedonian emissaries were intercepted.
@markmorris7123
Жыл бұрын
@@Shadow.24772 And by the way,, if these emissaries weren't intercepted,, Hannibal would all of a sudden had An army treble the size of his current army,,, Plus ships, siege equipment, as well as the possibility of more battle hardened Greeks whom hated Rome joining up..
Hannibal and Napoleon: ballsy, pretty successful for years, were feared on the battlefield. Their enemies: *HEY GUYS CRAZY IDEA BUT LETS NOT ATTACK THE GUY WE ARE CONSTANTLY LOSING TO AND JUST ATTACK THE OTHER STUFF*
@SoBasicallyImRetarded
2 ай бұрын
A lot of words to describe "When he approaches, we RUN away."
@bruhskullemojay
Ай бұрын
and yet they won
im watching this because im not waiting for oversimplified part 3
@thesnowspeaksfinnish
3 ай бұрын
Hahaha, same
@changsiah2
3 ай бұрын
same
@lion52193
3 ай бұрын
bro fr lmfao
@Utube237
2 ай бұрын
Bro me too fr
i know that it's hard to explain an entire war in a 10 minute video, but I think it's important to say that some of the most influential men in Carthage were enemies of Hannibal, and thus preferred a Roman victory than a powerful and influential Hannibal
@janarchivell
2 жыл бұрын
if Hannibal had the full support of Carthage, he could've changed the entire history of the world as we know it
@janarchivell
2 жыл бұрын
if anyone is interested in a deeper look into this war, HistoryMarche has a series going on talking in detail about it
@wraynephew6838
Жыл бұрын
@@janarchivell It is amazing how influential the Romans were, that many of Carthage's men were against and conspiring against Hannibal.
@bruhmcchaddeus413
Жыл бұрын
@@janarchivell yea same way if romans didnt just march all their 200,000+ legions on first hannibal counter, hannibal would be dead...but that didnt happen because they couldnt see future lol
@enigma9971
Жыл бұрын
People in power put their personal feelings above the well being the their very country itself. Sounds about right.
Hannibal and his family never really had to full weight of the state behind them, its amazing to think how far Hannibal went regardless
The story I have read claimed that Hannibal sent his brother Mago to Carthage for reinforcements. The senate wanted to help Hannibal but an aristocrat named Hanno II refused. He was a wealthy man whose wealth came from Spanish mines. He feared that if Hannibal took over Rome he would become the emperor of Mediterranean and Hanno will have no authority in these lands. He bribed senators to refuse reinforcements and sent reinforcements to Spain instead of Italy. As Rome knew about this they prepared an army and marched to Spain. On side note Hanno II was exactly the same man who in THE FIRST UNIC WAR forced Carthaginian navy on standby and helped Romans to prepare a navy. He was a traitor of Carthage who because of his greed and hypocrisy left the greatest ancient power in ruins.
@grantguy8933
2 жыл бұрын
What allowed such traitor exist is the crack or flaw of the Punic system. They focus more on profit and wealth building than republic building. It’s not coincidental tbh.
@bruhmcchaddeus413
Жыл бұрын
greatest ancient power is rome lol
@ef8236
Жыл бұрын
Greatest? Cartago doesnt make it even to the top 3 Rome, China, Persia..
@duweitdasdunixweit6701
Жыл бұрын
@@bruhmcchaddeus413 lol, yes after the victory in the 2nd punic war, they won the path to become the greatest power
@InfiniteDesign91
3 ай бұрын
@@bruhmcchaddeus413 Carthage had more power than Rome before the 1st punic war.
Can't wait for oversimplified video on this.
@kdubbs76
3 ай бұрын
check now, new vid
@senithasenadheera9790
3 ай бұрын
I5s here
People who are here after the first two oversimplified videos
@vencemarron
3 ай бұрын
Hahaha yes, just chilling for part 3
@enganatro
3 ай бұрын
Same fr@@vencemarron
@senithasenadheera9790
3 ай бұрын
Same here
@user-tm8kl4vw5s
2 ай бұрын
For that we will wait till next year
@itshenrystickminofficial
2 ай бұрын
6:55 Oversimplified's Part 3 Spoiler
My favorite war. Very sad what happened to scipio and Hannibal. War heros, masterminds betrayed by the states they devoted their lives to defending. i hope you cover the end of their tails aswell.
@Knowledgia
2 жыл бұрын
I am planning too!
@pandabear4565
2 жыл бұрын
@@Knowledgia Yay. Thank you.
@Friendship1nmillion
2 жыл бұрын
@@Knowledgia Which part of Hannibal's story is of him fighting " dirty " crushing to death enemy soldiers , attacking them with marching Elephants 🐘 ? ♑️✍️🇦🇺🇳🇴
@markmorris7123
2 жыл бұрын
@@Friendship1nmillion ??
@pandabear4565
2 жыл бұрын
@@Friendship1nmillion wtf are you talking about?
Historical lesson to be learn: Wars between superpowers that ends with the winning side being an asshole and kicking their enemy while their down only tees things up for another war that will be SO MUCH WORSE.
@intermilan9731
Жыл бұрын
Rome here was Uber toxic masculine.
@buzter8135
8 ай бұрын
@@intermilan9731To be fair, Hannibal attacked first and inflicted severe damage in Italy, look up the death toll of his campaign in Rome, interesting stuff.
@colinwilliams3459
3 ай бұрын
@@buzter8135 Hannibal did not attack first, Rome violated the Erbo treaty by placing troops in Saguntum. Plus there was the whole first punic war
@buzter8135
3 ай бұрын
@@colinwilliams3459 It was his Choice to escalate the situation and sack Saguntum.
@McGercekBaklava
3 күн бұрын
@@colinwilliams3459 I'm pretty sure both sides were looking for a fight at that point and Saguntum was just an excuse.
Truly it was a war for the fate of the known world.
@lilestojkovicii6618
Жыл бұрын
Yeah
Your maps and transitions to smaller locations are sweet for me, a geography enthusiast. And if the topic of the video is Ancient History, you end up making my day. Thank you.
Since Oversimplified is taking too long with Part 3, I decided to spoil the outcome of the 2nd Punic War
Oh my carthage .. the most underrated civilization in history. The oldest dimocratic Republic in human history yet people thinks it's Athens
@enricomanno8434
2 жыл бұрын
Democratic Republic? They used to sacrifie children to the goddess Thanet like the Phoenicians they sacrifier to Ba'al...
@-carthage7779
2 жыл бұрын
@@enricomanno8434 Yes democratic republic ruled by two governors elected by parliament. The westerns are used to steal history and make other cultures look bad .
@markmorris7123
2 жыл бұрын
The oldest that we know of.. But we don't really know what writing civilisations were around before the bronze age collapse.. but yes it is sad.. Especially with the Carthagiain library being destroyed
@Hi5Ripon
2 жыл бұрын
I really feel sad on how Carthage was destroyed by Europeans
@enricomanno8434
2 жыл бұрын
@@Hi5Ripon During that era was quite normal...by the way.. Carthage was expanding and conquering many places on southern Europe mainly on Sicily, Sardinia,Spain,France If Hannibal had succeed to destroy Rome the history of Europe was going to be different... but didn't happen
Our history is powerful and important to understand, predict and achieve positive future goals
"He had learned quite a bit about the Romans over the years." Mainly that Roman generals seem to believe that if you just push a bunch of men against the army of the enemy, victory will come automatically without the use nor the counteracting of military tactics.
Cmon man why did you have to spoil the oversimplified part 3 dude. Uncool
@Knowledgia
3 ай бұрын
Don't punish me severely lol
@itshenrystickminofficial
2 ай бұрын
I love how even the creator went along with this.
Rome is like that one main hero of a story who always escapes out of anything alive
@PiyushGupta-vx6qi
Жыл бұрын
Until it gets bored and fall on himself
Just watched all 4 parts. Great job man, now I want to play some Rome 2 Total War 😎
This is in my recommended after seeing a certain someone's first punic war vid.
@Allinone-nh6sx
Жыл бұрын
Oversimplified
@franceboy7476
Жыл бұрын
Oversimplified
Thank God you remembered about this series
this is the best Roman history episode so far
If you don't mind the manga medium I highly recommend Ad Astra. It covers the whole campaign of Hannibal and his battles with Scipion the African. Very well researched and enjoyable.
@seandoesstuff4172
Жыл бұрын
I keep getting spam calls from a company named ad astra.
Wonderful information! Thank you :)
So basically the European leaders copied the Romans, because during the Napoleonic wars their strategy was to not fight Napoleon just as Rome's strategy was to not fight Hannibal
@TheLordRichard
10 ай бұрын
Not really comparable because that was just for a few months in 1813. The Fabian strategy almost lasted a whole generation.
Punic wars is just like the battle of tactics vs logistics Rome had the logistics While carthage had the tactics And the result rome(logistics)win wars carthage(tactics)win battles EDIT:now i know understand the quote saying “tactics win battles,logistics win wars”
Its amazing how rome still fight even they loses alot of battles and almost get conquered by the carthage but still keep fighting without knowing if they would really win...... im really amaze that rome never give up
can't wait for the oversimplified video on this
@The_Redstone_Minecart
Жыл бұрын
Same
@MrBeast60o0
Жыл бұрын
@@ljtheone it was the first punic war
This is a great historical example that hatred is learned and can be taught. No one is born with it.
YES PART 4 IS HERE
thank you so much this really helped me with my assignment
The maps on this channel are so good
U should put dates in descriptions, thx for the vid💪
Hannibal's greatest enemy wasn't Rome, but Carthage itself. The senate never supported him in his campaign, and they paid the ultimate price for it.
bro giving spoilers for oversimplified's second part video 💀
@kugsyy
Жыл бұрын
It’s not spoilers when this was uploaded 3 months prior to oversimplifieds video
@seagullgaming5
Жыл бұрын
@@kugsyy that's spoilers
Hannibal was stretched to thin. He lost too many soldiers during the skirmishes and battles in the alps before he got to Italy. Although he found some success in the Italian Peninsula, Hannibal's brother could not hold down the territory in Iberia which would be key in sending reinforcements or even taking back Sardinia and Corsica. Hannibal did not realize how resilient the Romans were. The only way I can see Hannibal winning is if he sent armies 3 times what he brought to Italy. They may have had a chance.
What do you mean by the fact that Carthage couldn’t send help to Hannibal in Italy? They could they just wouldn’t because the court was being influenced by people scared of Hannibal’s growing influence. They effectively killed themselves by being so egotistical. Reminds me of Byzantium.
@hamzahammami22
2 жыл бұрын
Exactly, if Carthaginian Senate was as determined to the war as Rome and Hannibal were, Rome wouldn't stand a chance
@user-px6kg1wx4f
Жыл бұрын
Yes
Good One. Thanks.
Can you explain to us about the Babylonian civilization, it was really wonderful
you should make a playlist of this series
It took you so long just to make this, I was so bored without the history of rome 😭😭😭😭
Nice video.
Good stuff!
damn , you got me supporting Carthage there
I appreciate being more oversimplfied than oversimplified
great video again
Could you eventually make a episode on the Dutch empire? There's a lot to it through out history. Hell all of the Netherlands and Frisia could make up for several interesting episodes alone.
@Knowledgia
2 жыл бұрын
There are a few made on the channel already. More to be done, especially about New Amsterdam
Nice job
The punic wars should be made into a movie
One of the classical great wars of the ancient mediterranean
Just copare the early romans to the late romans, the early ones where homogenus and determined, losing army after army and just raizing another one. While the late romans where disunited and apathetic, lost armies where never rebuilt.
Every time I watch a series on the Second Punic War, I always go back to the SpongeBob quote: "How many times do we have to teach you this lesson, old man?!" In reference to Carthage.
This the first channel i see that not glorify Hannibal for his campaing in italy
"Hey rome, i declare war!" "I DO NOT CONSENT" "Alright, have a nice day"
I am watching this hoping for part 3 Oversimplified punic war
Brother when will you release the second part of Skanderbeg? I am anxiously waiting for it
@Knowledgia
2 жыл бұрын
Good things require patience my friend :)
@thealbozz4059
2 жыл бұрын
@@Knowledgia I'm really excited to see it, i think it will be a masterpiece you are creating! I could wait more months just to see the Skanderbeg series as best as possible! Thank you Knowledgia! :)
@kaushiksheshnagraj7176
2 жыл бұрын
@@Knowledgia Okay brother I have patience because I know that video will also be nice and amazing as others.
@kaushiksheshnagraj7176
2 жыл бұрын
@@thealbozz4059 Thank you friend. Are you a fan of Skanderbeg?
@thealbozz4059
2 жыл бұрын
@@kaushiksheshnagraj7176 Yes, I'm a big fan of Skanderbeg. I'm an Albanian my self, so sure lol. Skanderbeg is one of the biggest military commanders in history and one of the biggest heroes that for 25 years defeated the greatest power of that time and protected Europe. He is also the first Albanian ruler to unite all the Albanian nobles under his rule. He is the greatest historic figure of the Albanian history!
Carthage didn't deserve Hannibal tbh
@hamzahammami22
2 жыл бұрын
More like the corrupt Carthaginian senate didn't deserve him
when will the part two of skenderberg drop?
Watch this while waiting for oversimplified video
when is the 2nd episode of the League of Lezhe coming though? (Yeah i know how long animation takes just curious for any [most likely to not be correct {which makes sense}] date)
The real question is how carthage defeated hannibal
That last piece of flute music is good. Where is that from?
good video
If the senate of Carthage had fully backed Hannibal I believe he would have defeated Rome
@codymcteer5898
2 жыл бұрын
After the battle of Cannae Rome was hanging on by a thread. All they had to do was give Hannibal the resources and it would have been. Over In a couple battles. Possibly even one battle because if they had supported Hannibal fully then no doubt he would have laid siege to the city of Rome itself. Game over...
@Avinashm7
2 жыл бұрын
@@codymcteer5898 haah Rome a eternal city
@markmorris7123
2 жыл бұрын
@@codymcteer5898 thats certainly what the Roman's of the time thought.. Or if he had been able to link up with Macedons force, or if his brother had managed to get to him.. Dam why is this not a movie
@enricomanno8434
2 жыл бұрын
On the many comments about the Punic wars everyone missed one point.. Hannibal was not on his country City state of Carthage but in Italy for such a long time Another important thing.. Hannibal declared war not to another City state... during that period Rome was already the capital of a nation with many allied people from the southern part of Italy.
@hamzahammami22
2 жыл бұрын
@@enricomanno8434 that's not true, look at how fast southern Italy revolted after the battle of cannae
Just when is oversimplified gonna make the second punic war. It's been a year.
@Republic_Of_United_State_Ball
3 ай бұрын
4 weeks later
Glory to Rome man, the most amazing empire to ever exist...
Fantastic video keep it up your doing amazing job
8:40 I read the name of that town on top as Hippo Diarrhea bec it was partially covered by the banners lol
this was alot shorter than i thought lol, when i saw the first punic war in oversimplified channel, the time or something was 50 minutes
Some inaccuracies... 5:13 "As this new coalition marched on, Hannibal found success in multiple early skirmishes, like the battle of Ticinus, the battle of the Trebia, and the battle of lake Trasimene." The coalition didn't solidify before Ticinus. Hannibal needed that win to convince the tribes in Cisalpine Gaul to join him. Calling these battles "skirmishes" is quite an understatement. The first two were full-blown battles with a decisive Punic victory, wiping out several Roman legions. The third one is one of the most successful ambushes in history. A Roman consular army was lured into a trap and slaughtered. 7:07 "His brother was held up back in Spain, and no-one could assist from Carthage." The army raised in Hispania was soundly defeated. In Carthage, there was a lot of political maneuvering going on, and despite the tremendous achievements in Rome, Hannibal's faction was voted off eventually. The leaders of Carthage, largely due to jealousy of Hannibal's success and in fear of his becoming too powerful, torpedoed Hannibal's request for reinforcements, and decided on some half-hearted indirect support, like the unsuccessful attack in Sardinia. A lot of soldiers were involved in these missions. They could have just as easily been sent to reinforce Hannibal. So the "no-one could assist" part is quite wrong. 7:12 "Rome, however, had adopted a new policy ... they inacted the Fabian policy" The Fabian strategy had been applied much before Cannea already, albeit not as effectively as later on.
How do you make this? What program did you use?
Scipio pulled the same trick on Hannibal that he pulled at Canae
The biggest part of the cavalry of Scipio was composed by the army of Massinissa the numidian , the rival of syfax
Hello from Carthage Tunis now 🇹🇳
Extremely broad macro overview, but mostly accurate
Still waiting for the oversimplified version; let me know when it's here.
I give Hannibal props for really trying his best to defeat Rome. But in the end he just couldn't. Oh well.
Encirclement - Taking armies by complete surprise for thousands of years at this point.
11:28 "I declare war!" "No, I don't consent."
how did you make those animations, can you do a tutorial?
Senator: Maybe we should surrender Rome: You mean double the effort?
I caved and watched the oversimplified spoilers
I'm sad that you did not mention the crucial contribution of the berbers to Scipio in winning his battle of Zama !! Hannibal knew he lost the fight before even beginning, just when he saw the berbers at the side of Scipio (the reason of their alliance is the revenge of the berbere leader MASSINISSA over carthage over a woman story). The berbers at that time were the best cavaliers in the world, and they knew how to counter the elephants charge, they did not fear them, on the contrary to the romans. PLEASE SPECIFY THAT
Hannibal had a very bad luck despite of being so good at the battlefield.
Damn that half assed carthaginian senate, he was such a genius.
I have always thought Hannibal should have gone straight to Rome.
@tylercassidy9426
2 жыл бұрын
Yep like hitler with moscow
@PhilippinesBall1010
9 ай бұрын
Why Tho? Just To Get Defeated?
@indyrock8148
9 ай бұрын
@@PhilippinesBall1010 they couldn't defend it
@PhilippinesBall1010
9 ай бұрын
@@indyrock8148 the thing is Hannibal sucks at besieging
8:38 what is chartage?
When your too impatient to wait for Oversimplfied Part 3
@KingCobraCyleak
2 ай бұрын
I am indeed impatient.
Could you guys make a video about why did the first Mexican Empire collapse?
I don't know why? But Carthage Is real defintion of LOVE!
Whichever side the Numidian cavalry was on essentially won the battle. They were OP
keep goig
Hannibal was a very experienced general, trained in Spain by his father, in a sort of personal war mainly against the locals and hating romans. After Sagunto romans decided the war against Carthago. Polibius writes the number of soldiers and horsemen Rome could put on the battlefield, an enormous number, Hannibal had no hope. He hoped most of italic people would help him, raising against Rome but except Celts and some in south Italy they were loyal to romans. The first battle was of cavalry, and Hannibal won cause he had more and better horsemen. The second was among the river Trebbia, the stupid roman consul sent his fresh andcnot experienced troops to a massacre in a cold day (all the elephants died, except one). Hannibal fought in a tricky way, hiding troops and sending cavalry to surround the enemies. Greeks and romans fought in a different way. Romans would front the enemies with the first line (astati), then the second (principes), and if the battle was going wrong with the third line (triari), the veterans. After this battle Hannibal had other troops from the Celts. Another battle was at the lake Trasimeno. Rome understood that they had to train better; with Quintus Fabius Maximus they began to stop Hannibal avoiding battles while the troops were becoming more confident. Then another consul decided to attack at Canne where Hannibal studied a half moon tactic and surrounded the outnumbering romans; the result was one of the worst defeat of Rome. In a situation like that Caesar ordered his soldiers to enlarge the spaces, not to stay in a mass We are in the 216, the war began in the 218 and finished at Zama in the 202. Meanwhile romans ad Carthagineses were fighting in Spain and elsewhere. But seems that nobody thinks of what happened between 212 and 202, ten years during wich Hannibal had few and small victories and romans often won, with nice generals as Marcello (the winner od Syracuse), Claudio Nerone and others. There were battles in Spain where father and uncle of Scipio often won against other Carthagineses until in a battle they lost and died. The son, the famous Scipio, succeded in two things, first getting allied in Spain and Africa (thus he gained the cavalry he needed) and changing the roman tactic, like Hannibal and centuries after Shaka Zulu, that is sending the astati frontally, principes to the right and triari to the left, trying to surround the enemy. When Hannibal went to attack Rome nobody noticed that Rome sent away troops, renforcement for Spain?? And romans didn't stay behind the walls but went in front of them; there was no battle for a heavy storm. For ten years Rome succeded in stopping Hannibal who was reduced to the extreme south of Italy, while Rome punished severly the italic people who betrayed them. When at last the war was in Africa Hannibal had to force many italic to leave with him. At Zama Hannibal changed tactic: this time he had less cavalry. He had to use the elephants and used allied and citizens to damage and tire the roman front line to spare his veterans for the next fight. Meanwhile his weak cavalry attracted the roman and african cavalry away from the battlefield, hoping to gain time for the infantry fighting. While romans and veterans were fighting the cavalry of Scipio suddenly came back before the time Hannibal hoped and the games were over.
Amazing that Hannibal thrashed Roman army after Roman army and then in one single battle loses everything. I imagine even if Hannibal had won at Zama, the Romans now controlling Spain and the Mediterranean Sea would just have raised more armies. It should be noted that Hannibal used the smaller north African forest elephant, now extinct, not the much bigger Indian elephant used by Pyrrhus used in his campaigns.