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The '''Second Punic War''' (218-202 B.C.) was fought between the empire of [[Roman Republic|Rome]] and [[Carthage]] led by [[Hannibal]]. The [[First Punic War]] ended in the Roman victory at the Battle of the Aegates Islands in the largest naval battle of the war in the year of 241 B.C. Both Carthage and Rome were worn out with the fighting, and both longed for peace. After 23 years of fighting, the war ended in a peace treaty which allowed Carthage to maintain most of their overseas territory, with the exception of Sicily, and was forced to pay a large sum of money over a ten year to period to Rome. However, the peace of 241 was no real peace. Carthage was badly injured in both their pride and their pocket and were waiting for an opportunity seek vengeance. Rome equally realized that Carthage was a sleeping giant, and inevitably bound to wake up. Rome now stood squarely facing Carthage, neither city could place any real trust in the other. Carthage spent the next decade recuperating from the war.

The '''Second Punic War''' (218-202 B.C.) was fought between the empire of [[Roman Republic|Rome]] and [[Carthage]] led by [[Hannibal]]. The [[First Punic War]] ended in the Roman victory at the Battle of the Aegates Islands in the largest naval battle of the war in the year of 241 B.C. Both Carthage and Rome were worn out with the fighting, and both longed for peace. After 23 years of fighting, the war ended in a peace treaty which allowed Carthage to maintain most of their overseas territory, with the exception of Sicily, and was forced to pay a large sum of money over a ten year to period to Rome. However, the peace of 241 was no real peace. Carthage was badly injured in both their pride and their pocket and were waiting for an opportunity seek vengeance. Rome equally realized that Carthage was a sleeping giant, and inevitably bound to wake up. Rome now stood squarely facing Carthage, neither city could place any real trust in the other. Carthage spent the next decade recuperating from the war.

Carthage dispatched their most successful general, [[Hamilcar]], the father of [[Hannibal]], to Spain, taking with him Hannibal who was nine years old son at the time. The Carthaginian government was seeking compensation for the loss of Sicily in the last war, and Hamilcar personally saw Spain as a potential base to wage a war of vengeance against the Romans. Hannibal was brought up to succeed his father's position as general of the Carthaginian forces in Spain, and like his father, was filled with a deep hatred of Rome. At the age of 19, Hannibal lost his father in a battle against one of the Hispanic tribes in an attempted, but unsuccessful, revolt. Young, but already a somewhat seasoned soldier from traveling with his father on his campaigns as a boy, Hannibal rose to command all of the forces in Spain. He was a favorite of the soldiers; very charismatic and determined. Over the next ten years, 228-219 B.C. Hannibal prepared for a second war on Rome. Hannibal's adversaries in Rome knew a second war was virtually inevitable; the two countries were constantly arguing over small possessions such as the town of Saguntin in Spain which was supposedly under the protection of Rome.   

Carthage dispatched their most successful general, [[Hamilcar]], the father of [[Hannibal]], to Spain, taking with him Hannibal who was nine years old son at the time. The Carthaginian government was seeking compensation for the loss of Sicily in the last war, and Hamilcar personally saw Spain as a potential base to wage a war of vengeance against the Romans. Hannibal was brought up to succeed his father's position as general of the Carthaginian forces in Spain, and like his father, was filled with a deep hatred of Rome. At the age of 19, Hannibal lost his father in a battle against one of the Hispanic tribes in an attempted, but unsuccessful, revolt. Young, but already a somewhat seasoned soldier from traveling with his father on his campaigns as a boy, Hannibal rose to command all of the forces in Spain. He was a favorite of the soldiers; very charismatic and determined. Over the next ten years, 228-219 B.C. Hannibal prepared for a second war on Rome. Hannibal's adversaries in Rome knew a second war was virtually inevitable; the two countries were constantly arguing over small possessions such as the town of Saguntin in Spain which was supposedly under the protection of Rome.   

It is fair to say that Carthage was already beaten when the raw Carthaginian recruits and mercenaries met Scipio at the Battle of Zama in 202 B.C. The two armies were essentially equal in numbers, but completely different in morale. the Carthaginian were made up of more mercenary contingents then actual recruits. Hannibal's tried veterans were now vastly depleted. Hannibal was defeated. Rome had won the second Punic War.

It is fair to say that Carthage was already beaten when the raw Carthaginian recruits and mercenaries met Scipio at the Battle of Zama in 202 B.C. The two armies were essentially equal in numbers, but completely different in morale. the Carthaginian were made up of more mercenary contingents then actual recruits. Hannibal's tried veterans were now vastly depleted. Hannibal was defeated. Rome had won the second Punic War.

[[Category:Roman History]]

[[Category:Roman History]]

[[Category:Wars]]

[[Category:Wars]]