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Hannibal: The Military Genius Who Almost Conquered Rome

Series: Hannibal: The Military Genius Who Almost Conquered Rome
5
(2)
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Episodes
15
Rating
TVPG
Year
2023
Language
English
Publisher
The Great Courses

About

While ancient history is full of larger-than-life figures, the famed Carthaginian military commander we know as Hannibal has taken on a particularly mythic quality. His story is woven together with hearsay, embellishment, and extremely limited source material. Nevertheless, Hannibal defined a critical period in Roman history-and ancient history, more broadly-plowing across the Italian peninsula with a cadre of foot soldiers, elite calvary, envoys, and even elephants. His army laid waste to many strategically important cities

Related Subjects

Episodes

1 to 3 of 15

1. The Phoenicians and the Rise of Carthage

36m

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What do we really know about Hannibal Barca, an ancient Carthaginian military commander shrouded in myth and mystery? Evaluate two key sources on Hannibal's life and career—Livy's work on the Second Punic War and Polybius's The Histories—before diving into the history of Hannibal's homeland, Carthage.

2. The First Punic War

35m

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Hannibal lived in the shadow of the Punic Wars, a century-long conflict involving Rome and his native Carthage. Investigate the complicated origins of the First Punic War. Explore Carthage's early failures from the loss of Agrigento to defeat at the Battle of Mylae. And examine each side's strengths, weaknesses, and imperial motivations at the start of the contest.

3. Hamilcar and the Rise of the Barcids

34m

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After a string of military losses, Carthage looked like it would fall to the Romans. Get to know Hannibal's father Hamilcar before delving into how Rome ultimately prevailed despite the elder Barcid's small but important victories. And explore the civil war that consumed Carthage between the First and Second Punic Wars.

4. Young Hannibal in Iberia, 237–221 BCE

33m

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What can be said about Hamilcar's expedition to Iberia and Hasdrubal the Fair's subsequent takeover of Iberia? How was young Hannibal primed for military service by an adolescence that was steeped in conquest? And why did the negotiations between Carthage and Rome fail to resolve the conflict between both powers? Dive into these questions and more.

5. Hannibal Takes Command, 221–218 BCE

33m

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Begin by exploring Hannibal's early years of military service, from how he cultivated troop loyalty to gaining the military victories that impressed and, in some cases, frightened his contemporaries. And wrap up by setting the scene for the Second Punic War, delving into the conflict over and subsequent sacking of Saguntum.

6. A New Hercules Prepares to Fight Rome

34m

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See how careful preparations, intelligence networks, sharp diplomacy, a diverse but well-governed army, and even dreams and Herculean legends helped Hannibal secure meaningful victories in the Second Punic War's early years. And consider Carthage's powerful army as it moved and fought its way toward Transalpine Gaul on the French coast.

Extended Details

  • Closed CaptionsEnglish

Artists

The Great Coursesdirector
The Great Coursesproducer
Eve MacDonaldactor