The Second Punic War (218-201 BC): causes, consequences. The reasons for the defeat of Carthage in the Second Punic War. What is the difference between the First and Second Punic Wars?

The wars of Rome against Carthage occupy a significant place in the history of the Ancient World. They have influenced the further development of the Mediterranean and the whole of Europe. The Second Punic War of 218-201. BC. E. - the brightest of the three events. It is also called the Hannibal War, or the war against Hannibal. In addition to Rome and Carthage, Numidia, Pergamum, Aetolian Union, Syracuse, Achaean Union and Macedonia took part in this confrontation.

Prehistory

In the year 242 BC. E. A peace treaty was signed that concluded the First Punic War. As a result of this agreement, Carthage lost control over the revenues from the ownership of Sicily, the almost monopolistic trade of the Carthaginians in the Western Mediterranean was greatly undermined by Rome. As a result, Carthage was in a difficult economic situation, and his ruling dynasty Barkid - at a disadvantage from the political side - the opposition became more active. Even then it was clear that the Second Punic War between Rome and Carthage would soon take place with the goal of destroying one of them, since there was no place for the two major powers in the Mediterranean.

Rivalry for Spain

Hamilcar, commander-in-chief of the Carthaginian army, undertook campaigns to conquer the territories of Spain. First, the Iberian Peninsula was very rich in natural resources, and secondly, it was possible to get to Italy from Italy fairly quickly. Hamilcar, along with his son-in-law Hasdrubal, was active in expanding the borders of Carthage for almost 10 years, until he was killed during the siege of Helika. His companion Hasdrubal became a victim of the Iberian barbarian in New Carthage, founded by him.

The new Carthage instantly turned into the center of the entire western Mediterranean trade, as well as into the administrative center of the Punjian possessions. Thus, Carthage not only compensated for its losses after the First World War with Rome, but also it had new markets, and the silver mines of Spain enriched the Barquis and deprived them of political opponents of any support. The Second Punic War of 218-201. BC. E. Was only a matter of time.

Anxiety of Rome

Roman politicians and military leaders were greatly concerned about the growing strength of Carthage. Rome understood that now it is not too late to stop the pune, but after a while it will be difficult. Therefore, the Romans began to look for an excuse for unleashing war. During the lifetime of Father Hannibal, Hamilcar, between Carthage and Rome in Spain, a border was laid along the Iber River.

Rome enters into an alliance with Sogunt. He was clearly directed against Carthage, and specifically to stop his advance further north. The beginning of the Second Punic War was approaching, Rome did not need such a strong neighbor, but he could not openly act in the face of the aggressor, and therefore an alliance with Sogunt was concluded. It is clear that Rome was not intended to defend its ally, but the attack on him by Carthage provided an excuse for unleashing war.

Hannibal from the Barkid dynasty

Hannibal was destined to become a symbol of the struggle against the Roman domination in the Mediterranean basin, he managed what nobody dared to do before him. He was a talented military commander and general, his soldiers respected not for his high background, but for personal merit and leadership.

From a small age father Hamilcar took his son on hikes. All his conscious life he was in military camps, where from childhood he saw death in the face. Dozens, hundreds, if not thousands of people, were killed before his eyes. He is already used to it. Constant training has turned Hannibal into a skilful fighter, and the study of military affairs - in a genius commander. Meanwhile, Hamilcar did everything in order to get closer to the Hellenistic world, so he taught his son Greek alphabet and taught him to the culture of the Greeks. Father understood that without allies with Rome could not cope, and taught his sons to their culture, and also set up an alliance. An important role in this process was to play Hannibal. The second Punic war was considered by him for many years. And after his father's death, he swore that he would destroy Rome.

The causes of the war

There are three main reasons that led to the unleashing of the second war between Rome and Carthage:

1. The humiliating consequences for Carthage on the terms of the peace treaty that concluded the First Punic War.

2. The rapid growth of the territories of Carthage, as well as its enrichment at the expense of the richest possessions in Spain, which resulted in the strengthening of its military power.

3. Siege and capture by Carthage of the Allied Rome of Soghunt, which became the official reason, as a result of which the Second Punic War was unleashed. Its causes were more formal than real, and yet they led to one of the biggest confrontations in the whole history of the Ancient World.

The War Begins

After the death of Hamilcar and the assassination of Hasdrubal, Hannibal was elected commander-in-chief. Then he was only 25 years old, he was full of strength and determination to destroy Rome. In addition, he had a fairly good set of knowledge in the field of military affairs and, of course, leadership qualities.

Hannibal did not conceal from anyone that he wanted to attack Soghunt, of which Rome was an ally, and thereby involve the latter in the war. However, Hannibal did not attack first. He made sure that the Soghunt attacked the Iberian tribes that were under the rule of Carthage, and only after that he moved his forces to the "aggressor". Hannibal rightly counted on the fact that Rome would not bring military aid to Sogunt, since he fought against the Gauls and Illyrian pirates. Siegund's siege lasted 7 months, after which the fortress was taken. Rome never provided military assistance to her ally. After the capture of Sogunta, Rome sent an embassy to Carthage, which declared war. The Second Punic War has begun!

Hostilities

The war lasted more than 15 years. During this time, almost never ceased fighting clashes either between Rome and Carthage, or between their allies. Tens of thousands of people died. Over the years, the advantage passed from hand to hand: if in the initial period of the war the success was on the side of Hannibal, then after a while the Romans intensified, inflicting a number of major defeats on the Punas in Iberia and North Africa. Hannibal at the same time remained on the Apennine peninsula. In Italy, Hannibal himself achieved high results, making all the local population tremble before his name.

The Second Punic War showed that in an open battle Hannibal had no equal. This is indicated by the battles of the river Ticin and Trebbia, near Lake Trasimeno and, of course, the legendary battle of Cannes, which are sewn into military history by a red thread.

The fighting took place on several fronts: Italy, Spain, Sicily, North Africa and Macedonia, but the "engine" of Carthage and his allies were Hannibal's army and himself. Therefore, Rome set itself the goal of "bleeding" it, barring the ways of provisions, weapons and reinforcements for war in Italy. Rome succeeded when he realized that Hannibal must first be exhausted without general battles, and then finish off. This plan was a success, but before him Rome suffered one defeat after another, especially it is necessary to note the battle of Cannes. In this battle, Carthage had 50,000 soldiers, Rome - 90,000. The advantage is almost twice, but even with such numerical superiority, Rome failed to win. During the battle, 70,000 Roman soldiers were killed, 16,000 were taken prisoner, while Hannibal lost only 6,000 men.

Causes of the defeat of Carthage in the Second Punic War

There are a number of reasons that led to the victory of Rome. First, it is a fact that the army of Carthage consisted mainly of mercenaries who did not care who they were fighting for - they were paid for it. There were no patriotic feelings among the mercenaries, unlike the Romans, who defended their homeland.

Secondly, the Carthaginians themselves, who settled in Africa, often did not understand why they needed this war. Inside the country, the Barquis once again formed a serious opposition, which opposed the war with Rome. Even after the Battle of Cannes, the Carthaginian oligarchs sent little reinforcement to Hannibal without enthusiasm, although this aid could be much more significant, and then the outcome of the war would be quite different. The thing is that they were afraid of strengthening the power of Hannibal and establishing a dictatorship, followed by the destruction of the oligarchy as a social class.

Thirdly, the riots and betrayals that lay in wait for Carthage at every turn, and the lack of real help to the ally - Macedonia.

Fourthly, this is, of course, the genius of the Roman military school, which in the course of the war acquired a rich experience. At the same time for Rome, this war became a difficult test, putting the Roman Republic to the brink of survival . The reasons for the defeat of Carthage in the Second Punic War can still be listed, but all of them will flow from these 4 main, leading to the defeat of one of the most powerful armies of the Ancient World.

The difference of the Second from the First Punic War

Two wars were completely different, although they have a similar name. The first was invasive on both sides, it unfolded as a result of rivalry between Rome and Carthage for the possession of the rich island of Sicily. The second was invasive only from the side of Carthage, the Roman army carried out a liberation mission.

The result in both the First and Second Wars is the victory of Rome, a huge indemnity imposed on Carthage, the establishment of borders. After the Second Punic War ended, the causes, consequences and historical significance of which are difficult to overestimate, Carthage was generally forbidden to have a fleet. He lost all overseas possessions, he was surrounded by an exorbitant tax for 50 years. In addition, he could not unleash a war without the consent of Rome.

The Second Punic War could change the course of history if the commander-in-chief of Carthage's armies Hannibal had great support within the country. He could prevail over Rome. Moreover, all this was going on, as a result of the Battle of Cannes, Rome did not have a large army capable of resisting Carthage, but Hannibal could not have captured a well-fortified Rome with the available forces. He was waiting for support from Africa and the uprising of the Italian cities against Rome, but he never waited for the first or the second ...