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Hannibal
The life of the great military commander of ancient Carthage from the bestselling author of Thermopylae and Gibraltar. Born in Carthage in 247 BC, Hannibal Barca is considered one of the greatest military commanders of all time. Following the example set by his father, Hamilcar, he dedicated his life to the defeat of Rome. At the outbreak of the Second Punic War, Hannibal famously led an army across the Pyrenees and the Alps to victory against the Romans at the Battle of Trebia. In the years that followed, Hannibal led the Carthaginian war on Rome through some of the most brutal and costly battles in recorded history. In this richly detailed biography, Ernle Bradford tells the story of a great leader whose military strategies have been studied and copied by commanders throughout history, from his own Roman enemies to Napoleon Bonaparte.
278 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 30, 1980
153 people are currently reading
858 people want to read
About the author
Ernle Bradford
116 books85 followersErnle Dusgate Selby Bradford was a noted British historian specializing in the Mediterranean world and naval topics. Bradford was an enthusiastic sailor himself and spent almost thirty years sailing the Mediterranean, where many of his books are set. He served in the Royal Navy during World War II, finishing as the first Lieutenant of a destroyer. He did occasional broadcast work for the BBC, was a magazine editor, and wrote many books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
August 31, 2024
One of the great names in military history is certainly Hannibal who crossed the Alps and attacked the Romans during their era of the Republic. This book, written in 1980, is a very enjoyable military biography of this great Carthaginian general.
Bradford emphasizes the greatness of his military prowess and also informs the reader the downside of Hannibal's campaign as he was not a civilian leader who could adequately control the peoples, he conquered in Italy despite attempts at alliances with tribes in the area of Italy that he was located.
I found this book very informative and written in an accessible style about an era that I have not read extensively.
Bradford emphasizes the greatness of his military prowess and also informs the reader the downside of Hannibal's campaign as he was not a civilian leader who could adequately control the peoples, he conquered in Italy despite attempts at alliances with tribes in the area of Italy that he was located.
I found this book very informative and written in an accessible style about an era that I have not read extensively.
June 6, 2011
Hannibal ad portas!
Translation from Latin, "Hannibal is at the gates!" An expression used by Roman parents to frighten their children into obedience.
*****
Hannibal was born six years before the end of the First Punic War to a distinguished Carthaginian family, the Barcas (a name that means "Thunderbolt" in the Punic tongue). The first Punic War is a war which saw the mercantile city Carthage humbled by the fledgling Roman Republic for control of the northern and western Mediterranean. The year of Hannibal's birth, his father, Hamilcar, was appointed the commander of all Carthaginian sea and land forces. Three years after Carthage's defeat, Hamilcar would make Hannibal swear on a sacrifice made at the altar of their god, Melqart, the god of the city, to never be a friend to the Romans.
Boy howdy.
Hamilcar, having lost most all of Carthage's colonies to the Romans, set about establishing new ones on the Iberian peninsula, what is today Spain. After Hamilcar was killed in battle, command fell to Hannibal's brother-in-law, Hasdrubal, who would consolidate Carthaginian gains but not without pissing off a few people and getting himself assassinated. After his assassination, command fell to Hannibal. Soon thereafter, Rome took notice of the growing strength of Carthage's Iberian enterprise and violated the conditions of a treaty agreed upon by the two powers. In less than a year, the Second Punic War was underway.
Hannibal would march his army, audaciously, across the Alps and draw enemies of Rome to his cause. His first real battle with the Romans would be near the river Trebia against the appropriately haughtily named consuls Polybius Cornelius Scipio and Tiberius Sempronius. A Roman consul was, at that time, elected to a term of one year and in command of two legions; when two consuls fought together, they shared command of the combined army. This democratic arrangement, when confronted with the decisive military command of one person, particularly a military genius the likes of Hannibal, proved fatal. Well, perhaps this confused command structure along with Roman insolence would be fatal at Trebia: Hannibal's army would savage them. True to the political nature of a Roman consul, Sempronius would work to spin the loss, reporting back to Rome that the weather had been against him.
Two new consuls, Gaius Flaminius and Gnaeus Servilius, were elected in Rome to meet the Carthaginian menace and Hannibal would winter in northern Italy. Come spring, he would move his army south and lose an eye to infection. Arriving in Tuscany, Hannibal would allow his soldiers to plunder the countryside in the belief that the Romans could not stand such an affront. He was right. Flaminius acted against orders from Rome and the advice of his senior officers and set out to confront Hannibal. On a plain called Trasimene, fifteen thousand Roman legionnaires would fall, while Hannibal would only lose fifteen hundred soldiers. He would pillage Italy further and incite cities to revolt against Rome.
Intent on expelling Hannibal from Roman soil, Rome would raise an unprecedented army of eight legions. Combined with a number of allies, they fielded some eighty thousand men and six thousand calvary to confront Hannibal's army of forty thousand men and ten thousand calvary. However, while the Romans may have outnumbered their opponents by nearly two-to-one, the typical Roman legionnaire in this hastily formed army was a novice, while the typical soldier under Hannibal was a steely veteran. Near the Roman city of Cannae, some seventy thousand Romans would die, among them four Roman consuls, eight senators, two state treasurers and twenty-nine military tribunes; in effect, the flower of the Republic. Nothing stood between Hannibal's army and Rome. When news of the defeat reached the capital and its implications were fully digested by the citizenry, they would go full Tea Party, going so far as to make human sacrifice in an appeal to Providence to spare them from the wrath of the invader. But it wasn't Providence that saved them, it was the lack of foresight by their would-be conqueror: Hannibal was not equipped to lay siege.
The resiliency of the Roman Republic would prove to be Hannibal's undoing. Operating from the orthodox political perspective of the time, he believed that a decisive battlefield victory would force Rome to capitulate. It never did, and he would never again enjoy a victory on the scale of Cannae. By implementing a larger strategy of guerilla warfare and ruthlessly reclaiming wayward cities, Rome would isolate Hannibal. Never beaten on the battlefield, he would essentially be starved. The Romans would drive the Carthaginians from Spain, kill Hannibal's brother and throw his severed head into the invader's camp. Having lost his veteran troops, he is summoned back to Carthage some sixteen years after invading Italy because the Romans had taken the fight to the Carthaginian homeland. Ironically, the son of one of his first opponents, Scipio, who had survived previous battles with Rome's famous antagonist and learned from them, defeats him. Hannibal is allowed to rule Carthage for a few years in order to pay tribute to Rome, is banished as a result of various intrigues, offers his services to anyone foolish enough to stand against Rome, and takes poison at the age of sixty-four in a final act of defiance against the Roman agents who are poised to capture him. Meanwhile, Rome adopts many of the tactics used by Hannibal, pacifies the known world and has served as a case study in imperialism for the West ever since.
Translation from Latin, "Hannibal is at the gates!" An expression used by Roman parents to frighten their children into obedience.
*****
Hannibal was born six years before the end of the First Punic War to a distinguished Carthaginian family, the Barcas (a name that means "Thunderbolt" in the Punic tongue). The first Punic War is a war which saw the mercantile city Carthage humbled by the fledgling Roman Republic for control of the northern and western Mediterranean. The year of Hannibal's birth, his father, Hamilcar, was appointed the commander of all Carthaginian sea and land forces. Three years after Carthage's defeat, Hamilcar would make Hannibal swear on a sacrifice made at the altar of their god, Melqart, the god of the city, to never be a friend to the Romans.
Boy howdy.
Hamilcar, having lost most all of Carthage's colonies to the Romans, set about establishing new ones on the Iberian peninsula, what is today Spain. After Hamilcar was killed in battle, command fell to Hannibal's brother-in-law, Hasdrubal, who would consolidate Carthaginian gains but not without pissing off a few people and getting himself assassinated. After his assassination, command fell to Hannibal. Soon thereafter, Rome took notice of the growing strength of Carthage's Iberian enterprise and violated the conditions of a treaty agreed upon by the two powers. In less than a year, the Second Punic War was underway.
Hannibal would march his army, audaciously, across the Alps and draw enemies of Rome to his cause. His first real battle with the Romans would be near the river Trebia against the appropriately haughtily named consuls Polybius Cornelius Scipio and Tiberius Sempronius. A Roman consul was, at that time, elected to a term of one year and in command of two legions; when two consuls fought together, they shared command of the combined army. This democratic arrangement, when confronted with the decisive military command of one person, particularly a military genius the likes of Hannibal, proved fatal. Well, perhaps this confused command structure along with Roman insolence would be fatal at Trebia: Hannibal's army would savage them. True to the political nature of a Roman consul, Sempronius would work to spin the loss, reporting back to Rome that the weather had been against him.
Two new consuls, Gaius Flaminius and Gnaeus Servilius, were elected in Rome to meet the Carthaginian menace and Hannibal would winter in northern Italy. Come spring, he would move his army south and lose an eye to infection. Arriving in Tuscany, Hannibal would allow his soldiers to plunder the countryside in the belief that the Romans could not stand such an affront. He was right. Flaminius acted against orders from Rome and the advice of his senior officers and set out to confront Hannibal. On a plain called Trasimene, fifteen thousand Roman legionnaires would fall, while Hannibal would only lose fifteen hundred soldiers. He would pillage Italy further and incite cities to revolt against Rome.
Intent on expelling Hannibal from Roman soil, Rome would raise an unprecedented army of eight legions. Combined with a number of allies, they fielded some eighty thousand men and six thousand calvary to confront Hannibal's army of forty thousand men and ten thousand calvary. However, while the Romans may have outnumbered their opponents by nearly two-to-one, the typical Roman legionnaire in this hastily formed army was a novice, while the typical soldier under Hannibal was a steely veteran. Near the Roman city of Cannae, some seventy thousand Romans would die, among them four Roman consuls, eight senators, two state treasurers and twenty-nine military tribunes; in effect, the flower of the Republic. Nothing stood between Hannibal's army and Rome. When news of the defeat reached the capital and its implications were fully digested by the citizenry, they would go full Tea Party, going so far as to make human sacrifice in an appeal to Providence to spare them from the wrath of the invader. But it wasn't Providence that saved them, it was the lack of foresight by their would-be conqueror: Hannibal was not equipped to lay siege.
The resiliency of the Roman Republic would prove to be Hannibal's undoing. Operating from the orthodox political perspective of the time, he believed that a decisive battlefield victory would force Rome to capitulate. It never did, and he would never again enjoy a victory on the scale of Cannae. By implementing a larger strategy of guerilla warfare and ruthlessly reclaiming wayward cities, Rome would isolate Hannibal. Never beaten on the battlefield, he would essentially be starved. The Romans would drive the Carthaginians from Spain, kill Hannibal's brother and throw his severed head into the invader's camp. Having lost his veteran troops, he is summoned back to Carthage some sixteen years after invading Italy because the Romans had taken the fight to the Carthaginian homeland. Ironically, the son of one of his first opponents, Scipio, who had survived previous battles with Rome's famous antagonist and learned from them, defeats him. Hannibal is allowed to rule Carthage for a few years in order to pay tribute to Rome, is banished as a result of various intrigues, offers his services to anyone foolish enough to stand against Rome, and takes poison at the age of sixty-four in a final act of defiance against the Roman agents who are poised to capture him. Meanwhile, Rome adopts many of the tactics used by Hannibal, pacifies the known world and has served as a case study in imperialism for the West ever since.
August 19, 2022
A nice, full-rounded look at the life and military career of Hannibal. Mostly centered on his famous crossing of the Alps and subsequent campaign upon Rome.
March 19, 2024
A relatively easy and thoughtful account of Hannibal's life, dominated as it is by his failed war against Rome. The book is full of pathos and tragedy, but also shades of gray. One thing I gleamed is that Hannibal's army, by living off the land (looting), discouraged people from abandoning Rome. Napoleon had similar problems with his army. Hannibal's army was in essence a massive raiding party that was also able to win great victories but which overstayed its welcome.
January 20, 2024
I found this is an interesting and informative homage to the Carthaginian military leader, Hannibal Barca, a man that the author clearly respects and admires. The book is based mainly on the classical writings of Polybius and Livy, from whom Bradford quotes extensively. At times the views of historians from 19th and 20th centuries are included as well. Given the scarcity of source material on Hannibal's life prior to 218 BC, much of the book deals with the 2nd Punic War (218-202 BC) and Hannibal's 15 year long military campaign in Italy. All of the main battles and related events of the war are presented and analyzed in some detail. Small site maps are included for the battles at Lake Trasimene, Cannae and Zama. It's unfortunate that more maps weren't included to give readers a better idea of Hannibal's whereabouts during his time in Italy and to help us to conceptualize many of the other military maneuvers and confrontations that occurred. The book is written in an engaging style and is easy to follow except for the occasional use of 4 line sentences, including parentheses. Overall, I found this an enjoyable read and learned a lot. This is the fourth book I've read by Ernle Bradford - he makes reading history a pleasure.
Read
July 4, 20183.5-4 stars.
Checked off the box for 'Read a biography' in the LCL Adult Summer Reading Program Challenges (one of nine - three of which I've already completed this past week). This will go nicely with the History of Rome podcast episodes I'm currently listening to on the 2nd Punic War.
Checked off the box for 'Read a biography' in the LCL Adult Summer Reading Program Challenges (one of nine - three of which I've already completed this past week). This will go nicely with the History of Rome podcast episodes I'm currently listening to on the 2nd Punic War.
July 7, 2018
Thrilling, beautifully paced and filled with details about Hannibal's strategic military moves, wins amd defeats, this book will surely please any history nerd out there - especially if, like me, you've got an insatiable curiosity about the achievements of great military generals.
June 1, 2021
An excellent guide to one of history's most enduring legends, the valiant general, selfless patriot and brilliant tactician. It could use some diagrams of locations, movements and battle formations for readers unfamiliar with the classical era Mediterranean. However, it's a worthy addition to every history fan's collection.
January 9, 2023
Excellent read covering the campaigns of this great warrior. A wizard in tactical warfare which bamboozled the the Romans in all his encounters. A leader born to rule and his battle tactics and strategies were second to none
Definitely worth a read.
Definitely worth a read.
May 13, 2021
A comprehensive and competent biography of Carthage's most famous son. The level of detail is about right and the military aspect is handled effectively. There were no maps or diagrams in my Endeavour Press paperback, which was a pity. There are lots of relevant quotes however, and the simple clear narrative has a novel's readability.
An excellent introduction to the topic for the general reader and still enjoyable for Hannibal nuts like me. Leonard Cottrell's "Enemy of Rome" got me hooked on Hannibal as a teenager back in the last millenium. Highly recommended if you can find a copy.
An excellent introduction to the topic for the general reader and still enjoyable for Hannibal nuts like me. Leonard Cottrell's "Enemy of Rome" got me hooked on Hannibal as a teenager back in the last millenium. Highly recommended if you can find a copy.
December 24, 2020
Hannibal is one of the most famous names in military as well as classical history. The book is accessible and divided into short chapters. The main focus is the preamble to the Second Punic War 2018 - 201 BC, and the aftermath thereof, which is also the apex of the life of Hannibal. One criticism is the lack of information on the maps provided. The maps give a decent enough overview of the Mediterranean at the time, but lack details of Hannibal's 15 year sojourn through the Italian peninsula, and particularly the battle sites.
October 11, 2024
A very common story about Hannibal that I learned in Latin class is that, after attending a lecture by the philosopher Phormio on the duties of a general, Hannibal was asked his opinion. (By reputation, Hannibal was far too courteous to needlessly volunteer a negative opinion...) Hannibal replied, "I have seen during my life many old fools; but this one beats them all." The irony of this anecdote with respect to Bradford's sophomoric discussion of Hannibal is so blindingly obvious it is almost beneath one to openly state it.
March 3, 2015
This is the best biography of Rome's greatest antagonist, to date. Bradford is a vital companion to Livy in understanding the Punic Wars, through the eyes of its great champion.
September 8, 2023
This was so poorly written at times it was laughable. The author uses an idiosyncratic parenthetic style that is confusing and detracts from telling the story of an historic figure.
February 10, 2025
Ernle Bradford’s Hannibal is a captivating and insightful biography of one of history’s most brilliant and enigmatic military leaders. This book offers far more than a retelling of Hannibal’s famous battles—it dives deeply into the life and character of a man who dared to challenge Rome at its peak, reshaping the ancient Mediterranean world in the process. Reading Bradford’s account felt like embarking on a journey into Hannibal’s era, filled with ambition, ingenuity, and tragedy.
1. A Narrative That Grips You
What makes Bradford’s Hannibal stand out is its masterful storytelling. Bradford transforms history into a vivid narrative, making each scene feel alive and immediate. From Hannibal’s daring trek across the Alps with his war elephants to his stunning tactical victory at Cannae, every moment is brought to life with clarity and intensity.
The book doesn’t just focus on the grandeur of Hannibal’s campaigns—it also delves into the man himself. Bradford skillfully unveils Hannibal’s genius for strategy and leadership while also showing the human side of a figure often shrouded in legend. His loyalty to his homeland, his unyielding oath to avenge Carthage, and the emotional weight of his mission are all portrayed in ways that make Hannibal relatable and compelling.
2. A Heroic Yet Tragic Figure
What struck me most about this book is how Bradford portrays Hannibal as both extraordinary and profoundly human. Hannibal’s life is not just a tale of unmatched military genius but also one of personal sacrifice and ultimate futility. Bradford captures this duality with great empathy, making Hannibal feel less like an untouchable hero and more like a man driven by a relentless sense of duty.
The final chapters, which recount Hannibal’s exile and tragic end, were particularly moving. They emphasize the loneliness and despair of a man who had come so close to victory, only to be betrayed by fate and the politics of his own people. Hannibal’s story reminded me of a Shakespearean tragedy—filled with ambition, glory, and an inevitable downfall.
3. Comparisons to Other Histories
Bradford’s Hannibal is a gem among historical biographies, comparable to but distinct from other works in the genre. For example, Theodore Ayrault Dodge’s Hannibal offers a deep military analysis, but it can feel dense and overly technical for casual readers. In contrast, Bradford’s writing is more fluid and engaging, balancing scholarly insight with the art of storytelling.
I also found echoes of Tom Holland’s Rubicon in Bradford’s style. Both authors excel at painting vivid pictures of the ancient world, though their focuses differ. While Rubicon covers the fall of the Roman Republic in sweeping detail, Hannibal hones in on the personal journey of one man and his defiance of Rome.
Similarly, Robert L. O’Connell’s The Ghosts of Cannae provides fascinating context on the psychological impact of Hannibal’s campaigns, but Bradford’s focus on Hannibal himself makes his work feel more intimate. Bradford gives us a window not just into history but into the mind and heart of a man who changed it.
4. Why Hannibal Resonates
For me, Bradford’s Hannibal wasn’t just an educational read—it was an inspiring one. Hannibal’s story is a testament to human determination and ingenuity. His ability to unite disparate forces, defy overwhelming odds, and outmaneuver Rome’s greatest generals is a lesson in resilience and vision.
Yet, the book also serves as a poignant reminder of the limits of even the greatest ambition. Hannibal’s ultimate failure wasn’t due to a lack of skill but the constraints of his time: Carthage’s political instability, Rome’s relentless adaptability, and the immense scale of his struggle. Bradford captures this beautifully, painting a portrait of both Hannibal’s triumphs and the costs that came with them.
I’ll admit, this duality left me feeling bittersweat. Hannibal’s achievements are awe-inspiring, but his story also speaks to the fragility of even the most brilliant plans. Bradford’s ability to capture this tension is what makes his Hannibal such a memorable and thought-provoking read.
5. Final Thoughts
Ernle Bradford’s Hannibal is an outstanding work of historical biography and a must-read for anyone interested in ancient history, military strategy, or the timeless stories of great leaders. Bradford’s vivid prose, sharp analysis, and empathetic portrayal make this book stand out as both an engaging and insightful account of one of history’s most remarkable figures.
For someone like me, who has always been fascinated by the clash between Rome and Carthage, Hannibal felt like discovering the story anew. It’s not just a tale of battles and politics but a meditation on ambition, resilience, and the fleeting nature of glory. Whether you’re a seasoned history enthusiast or simply curious about one of antiquity’s greatest generals, Bradford’s Hannibal is a book you’ll want to return to again and again.
1. A Narrative That Grips You
What makes Bradford’s Hannibal stand out is its masterful storytelling. Bradford transforms history into a vivid narrative, making each scene feel alive and immediate. From Hannibal’s daring trek across the Alps with his war elephants to his stunning tactical victory at Cannae, every moment is brought to life with clarity and intensity.
The book doesn’t just focus on the grandeur of Hannibal’s campaigns—it also delves into the man himself. Bradford skillfully unveils Hannibal’s genius for strategy and leadership while also showing the human side of a figure often shrouded in legend. His loyalty to his homeland, his unyielding oath to avenge Carthage, and the emotional weight of his mission are all portrayed in ways that make Hannibal relatable and compelling.
2. A Heroic Yet Tragic Figure
What struck me most about this book is how Bradford portrays Hannibal as both extraordinary and profoundly human. Hannibal’s life is not just a tale of unmatched military genius but also one of personal sacrifice and ultimate futility. Bradford captures this duality with great empathy, making Hannibal feel less like an untouchable hero and more like a man driven by a relentless sense of duty.
The final chapters, which recount Hannibal’s exile and tragic end, were particularly moving. They emphasize the loneliness and despair of a man who had come so close to victory, only to be betrayed by fate and the politics of his own people. Hannibal’s story reminded me of a Shakespearean tragedy—filled with ambition, glory, and an inevitable downfall.
3. Comparisons to Other Histories
Bradford’s Hannibal is a gem among historical biographies, comparable to but distinct from other works in the genre. For example, Theodore Ayrault Dodge’s Hannibal offers a deep military analysis, but it can feel dense and overly technical for casual readers. In contrast, Bradford’s writing is more fluid and engaging, balancing scholarly insight with the art of storytelling.
I also found echoes of Tom Holland’s Rubicon in Bradford’s style. Both authors excel at painting vivid pictures of the ancient world, though their focuses differ. While Rubicon covers the fall of the Roman Republic in sweeping detail, Hannibal hones in on the personal journey of one man and his defiance of Rome.
Similarly, Robert L. O’Connell’s The Ghosts of Cannae provides fascinating context on the psychological impact of Hannibal’s campaigns, but Bradford’s focus on Hannibal himself makes his work feel more intimate. Bradford gives us a window not just into history but into the mind and heart of a man who changed it.
4. Why Hannibal Resonates
For me, Bradford’s Hannibal wasn’t just an educational read—it was an inspiring one. Hannibal’s story is a testament to human determination and ingenuity. His ability to unite disparate forces, defy overwhelming odds, and outmaneuver Rome’s greatest generals is a lesson in resilience and vision.
Yet, the book also serves as a poignant reminder of the limits of even the greatest ambition. Hannibal’s ultimate failure wasn’t due to a lack of skill but the constraints of his time: Carthage’s political instability, Rome’s relentless adaptability, and the immense scale of his struggle. Bradford captures this beautifully, painting a portrait of both Hannibal’s triumphs and the costs that came with them.
I’ll admit, this duality left me feeling bittersweat. Hannibal’s achievements are awe-inspiring, but his story also speaks to the fragility of even the most brilliant plans. Bradford’s ability to capture this tension is what makes his Hannibal such a memorable and thought-provoking read.
5. Final Thoughts
Ernle Bradford’s Hannibal is an outstanding work of historical biography and a must-read for anyone interested in ancient history, military strategy, or the timeless stories of great leaders. Bradford’s vivid prose, sharp analysis, and empathetic portrayal make this book stand out as both an engaging and insightful account of one of history’s most remarkable figures.
For someone like me, who has always been fascinated by the clash between Rome and Carthage, Hannibal felt like discovering the story anew. It’s not just a tale of battles and politics but a meditation on ambition, resilience, and the fleeting nature of glory. Whether you’re a seasoned history enthusiast or simply curious about one of antiquity’s greatest generals, Bradford’s Hannibal is a book you’ll want to return to again and again.
August 29, 2020
I only knew the broad strokes of Hannibal’s life before reading this book. The book does not present new material about a man who lived 2200 years ago however it is unlikely that short a of time machine there is any additional material to discover. The author used material like Polybius the Greek historian who was alive during Hannibal lifetime, was present at during the final defeat and conquest of Carthage during the third Punic. Polybius was also the tutor of the adopted grandson of Scipio who defeated Hannibal at Zama ending the second Punic war. The author was used both Livy and works of more modern scholars.
The book covers as much as is know about Hannibal life from his birth in Carthage, thru his youth in Spain his war with Rome, his years leading the rejuvenation of Carthage as trading colossus, his flight to Seleucid empire (Syria) until his death Bithynia in what is now Turkey. Clearly Hannibal was more than just a brilliant General. Speaking at least four languages, educated in Greek, Latin and his mother tongue Punic, he was well educated. His youth was spent around soldiers lead by Hamilcar his father a great general in his own right. While fear as enemy of Rome he was not demonized by Romans. Roman historians make a point of recording his honourable treatment of prisoners and applauded his respect for the remains of Roman generals killed by his armies.
Reading book I was introduced to Scipio the man who defeated Hannibal. Scipio was on the battlefield in Roman armies defeated twice by Hannibal before they faced off at Zama. Scipio was at both Ticinus and Cannae, the bloodiest battle in history. Scipio respected Hannibal both as a general and as a man.
I could keep writing and detail the whole but really you should just read it
I highly recommend this book
The book covers as much as is know about Hannibal life from his birth in Carthage, thru his youth in Spain his war with Rome, his years leading the rejuvenation of Carthage as trading colossus, his flight to Seleucid empire (Syria) until his death Bithynia in what is now Turkey. Clearly Hannibal was more than just a brilliant General. Speaking at least four languages, educated in Greek, Latin and his mother tongue Punic, he was well educated. His youth was spent around soldiers lead by Hamilcar his father a great general in his own right. While fear as enemy of Rome he was not demonized by Romans. Roman historians make a point of recording his honourable treatment of prisoners and applauded his respect for the remains of Roman generals killed by his armies.
Reading book I was introduced to Scipio the man who defeated Hannibal. Scipio was on the battlefield in Roman armies defeated twice by Hannibal before they faced off at Zama. Scipio was at both Ticinus and Cannae, the bloodiest battle in history. Scipio respected Hannibal both as a general and as a man.
I could keep writing and detail the whole but really you should just read it
I highly recommend this book
December 22, 2024
Ernle Bradford's "Hannibal" is a popular history text about Hannibal Barca, the great Carthaginian general who created the Roman Republic's great existential crisis, nearly destroying the it. "Hannibal" was written in 1981, one of Bradford's last great texts. Bradford is first and foremost a military historian, though there are some wonderful asides in the text about Carthage's Phoenician heritage: its religion, which to those who have read the Old Testament would be instantly familiar. The items regarding the Carthaginian government were extremely interesting, as this is something that is fairly lost in the mists of time. Bradford's treatment of the entire of Barca clan is also important, he gives a short history of Hannibal's father, Hamilcar, and his struggle against the Romans in Sicily during the First Punic War (264-241 BCE) that set the table for Hannibal's own struggle in the Second Punic War (218-201 BCE). Bradford also gives an excellent treatment of the Barca's invasion and creation of their own kingdom in what is now modern Spain, which took place between the First and Second Punic Wars, and both funded and primarily manned Hannibal's later war. The author also gives a good treatment of Scipio Africanus, the man who would eventually law the Carthaginians low and restore Rome's fortunes. Scipio is just as dynamic as Hannibal and is worth learning about, as he is very much the model of later Roman generals and eventually emperors. It's a good history text, just expect to hear a lot about war and tactics.
September 6, 2025
Hannibal was a brilliant commander. He exploited the Roman consuls' eagerness to secure a victory and laid clever traps for them(Sun Tzu: Know thy enemy and know yourself, and you will not be imperiled in a hundred battles). He used the terrain (fog, rivers, narrow valleys) to multiply his advantage. He dictated where and when battles happened, forcing Romans to fight on ground of his choosing, which is why he always appeared at the scene first. Fabius Maximus was the only one he did not win against. Fabius Maximus was wise and cautious, besides he did not need to prove himself, his family was already famous. The Fabian strategy worked quite well.
But Hannibal was not a visionary, unfortunately. He let Scipio run wild in Spain. By making Spain Roman and then attacking North Africa, Scipio cut off Hannibal's base, which ultimately led to Carthage's defeat. He should've removed himself from Croton and moved to secure Sardinia and Sicily. Always protect your base first. Did Hannibal forgot that basic principle of strategic warfare? He did put his brothers in charge in Spain, but they weren't as talented as him so Scipio could defeat them.
In the end, Carthage lost, its indemnity was doubled. Hannibal had to flee from one port to another and ultimately, committed suicide to escape the fate of Roman prisoners. It was pretty tragic.
But Hannibal was not a visionary, unfortunately. He let Scipio run wild in Spain. By making Spain Roman and then attacking North Africa, Scipio cut off Hannibal's base, which ultimately led to Carthage's defeat. He should've removed himself from Croton and moved to secure Sardinia and Sicily. Always protect your base first. Did Hannibal forgot that basic principle of strategic warfare? He did put his brothers in charge in Spain, but they weren't as talented as him so Scipio could defeat them.
In the end, Carthage lost, its indemnity was doubled. Hannibal had to flee from one port to another and ultimately, committed suicide to escape the fate of Roman prisoners. It was pretty tragic.
April 20, 2023
This is a subject that I remember at school, was only touched upon with respect to Hannibal's use of elephants to get his army over the Alps and into northern Italy.
No context really and certainly no insight into how he stayed in Italy for another 15 years, wreaking havoc in its countryside and tying-up vast resources that Rome had to dedicate to keeping their key ports and Ro0me itself secure.
Bradford's writing is wonderful, a bit like a novelist writing history rather than an academic historian. His account of the battle of Cannae is particularly riveting.
The only negative bit is that my edition (the Endeavour Ink one) has no maps. I'm not sure if other editions include them, but having simple battlefield maps and perhaps a few maps tracing Hannibal's marches across Italy would have enhanced the text no end.
No context really and certainly no insight into how he stayed in Italy for another 15 years, wreaking havoc in its countryside and tying-up vast resources that Rome had to dedicate to keeping their key ports and Ro0me itself secure.
Bradford's writing is wonderful, a bit like a novelist writing history rather than an academic historian. His account of the battle of Cannae is particularly riveting.
The only negative bit is that my edition (the Endeavour Ink one) has no maps. I'm not sure if other editions include them, but having simple battlefield maps and perhaps a few maps tracing Hannibal's marches across Italy would have enhanced the text no end.
November 6, 2019
I enjoy reading about classical antiquity at any time. But this book was a nice surprise because there’s not much out there that is both engagingly written and accessible to ordinary readers about the life of Hannibal as seen from the Carthaginian perspective. There are good, exciting descriptions of the major battles against the Romans at Trebia, Lake Trasimene, Cannae, and his final loss to Scipio Africanus at Zama. You can’t help but think that this stuff would make great cinema, not just the kind of TV documentaries that routinely get made of his adventures. The book is of a good length as well, not too long and not too short, and with good references to follow up on what interests you. In itself the book is very good; I only gave it 3/5 because the topic itself is a side-light in the big picture of things.
November 25, 2016
If you are interested in ancient history, you might be interested in this very good biography of Hannibal. It tells about his time in Spain, his march over the Alps into Italy, the details of all of his time in Italy, his return to Carthage, and a very brief recounting of his later years. The author doesn't attempt to hide the fact that he has pulled all of his details from previous historians. In fact, he in many cases tells which source he used and why he chose the source that he did when multiple sources disagree. The book read was very easy to read and I learned a lot from it.
September 19, 2020
Hannibal at the gates!
We follow the Great General across the Alps and into Italy to see his genius on the battlefield. His eclectic mixture of Gauls, Namibian and Cartheginians terrorized and defeated legion after legion. Seventeen years of war upon the Roman's gave Hannibal mastery over the Italian peninsula and showed what manner of strategic and tactical wonder his mind was. This account is riveting. I applauded the authors detail and sense of the man. I enjoyed the journey immensely.
We follow the Great General across the Alps and into Italy to see his genius on the battlefield. His eclectic mixture of Gauls, Namibian and Cartheginians terrorized and defeated legion after legion. Seventeen years of war upon the Roman's gave Hannibal mastery over the Italian peninsula and showed what manner of strategic and tactical wonder his mind was. This account is riveting. I applauded the authors detail and sense of the man. I enjoyed the journey immensely.
May 18, 2017
I hardly ever read non-fiction, so this was a refreshing change. The style is engaging and not at all boring, since some history books can be a bit dry. I found it on the shelf of an AirBnB I stayed in recently in Valencia, and then bought it so I could carry on reading. Before if you'd said the name 'Hannibal', I'd have thought you were talking about the psychopathic serial killer, so at least now I feel a little bit less ignorant.
August 23, 2022
An enjoyable biography of the life of Rome's greatest enemy Hannibal Barca which focuses on his brilliant but ultimately unsuccessful invasion of roman Italy from 218 to 203 BCE.
Bradford begins by outlining the reasons for the war and the Barca families personal motives which started with Hannibal's father Hamilcar who lost Sicily to the romans in the first punic war. Historical sources are used throughout such as Livy and Polybius as well as modern archeological research which has helped piece together details about his campaign which have been lost. Something which was especially important during his crossing of the alps with tens of thousands of men and famously thirty-seven elephants. His descriptions of the major battles of Cannae and Zama are informative and suspenseful as well as being thorough in analysing the political and military situations which resulted in their aftermath.
The biography is limited by the lack of knowledge of Hannibal's personal life and his life in general both before and after the Second Punic war which causes the book to focus almost entirely on his military achievement which were considerable.
I came away from this book with a much better understanding and respect for Hannibal and inadvertently for Rome and the resilience they showed in eventually winning the war against one of the greatest generals of all time .
Bradford begins by outlining the reasons for the war and the Barca families personal motives which started with Hannibal's father Hamilcar who lost Sicily to the romans in the first punic war. Historical sources are used throughout such as Livy and Polybius as well as modern archeological research which has helped piece together details about his campaign which have been lost. Something which was especially important during his crossing of the alps with tens of thousands of men and famously thirty-seven elephants. His descriptions of the major battles of Cannae and Zama are informative and suspenseful as well as being thorough in analysing the political and military situations which resulted in their aftermath.
The biography is limited by the lack of knowledge of Hannibal's personal life and his life in general both before and after the Second Punic war which causes the book to focus almost entirely on his military achievement which were considerable.
I came away from this book with a much better understanding and respect for Hannibal and inadvertently for Rome and the resilience they showed in eventually winning the war against one of the greatest generals of all time .
January 29, 2025
I have only ever heard of Hannibal, I had not realized how impressive a life he had lived. A true military conqueror with some unconventional tactics.
From the age of 9, pledging to fight Rome, to moving elephants across the Alps, and meeting with great military generals. He is truly a force that everyone should be educated on.
From the age of 9, pledging to fight Rome, to moving elephants across the Alps, and meeting with great military generals. He is truly a force that everyone should be educated on.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 18, 2019
I'm an ancient history buff and have many books on the likes of its Generals, i thought this book was absolutely excellent...odd to think it was written so long ago [in fact the author died in 1986] and it went under my radar.
March 28, 2020
Good neutral view of hannibal's campaign in Italy. Really enjoyed it. This book also give me a totally different view of the phrase " You, Hannibal, know how to gain a victory; you do not know how to use it."
July 30, 2022
Thoroughly written, but thoroughly boring. I love ancient history and had particular interest in Hannibal and the punic wars, but I couldn't get into. Find myself in a daze many times through. The book got good reviews, so maybe it was just the monotonous narrator...
December 22, 2024
Full of information on Hannibal as who he was and why he is so revered until this day. Most of the book deals with the adult Hannibal and his incursion into what is now Italy as he attempted to crush the Roman empire.
November 10, 2016
Extremely well written exposition of a brilliant warrior who was conceptually not prepared for his military successes.
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