These wars were fought between the cities of Carthage in North Africa and Rome in northern Italy for supremacy of the Mediterranean region. In 218 BCE, Hannibal decided to bring the fight to the Romans and invade northern Italy by crossing the mountain range of the Alps. By the time they reached the other side, Hannibal’s army had been reduced to about 26,000 men in total and a few elephants. In 183 BCE, Hannibal in his 60s killed himself by drinking poison to avoid capture by the Romans. Till date, Hannibal’s journey through the Alps is described as one of the greatest achievements of ancient warfare.

Source: The North Africa Journal June 08, 2018 21:11 UTC