Who is Hannibal?

Hannibal Barca connecting role in the destiny of the winner and loser of its kind.The name of this great man surrounded by multiple conjectures and legends.Who is Hannibal?This is an outstanding leader of his era.He entered world history as a serious rival to the mighty Rome, against which he was able to wage a successful fifteen years of war, while away from Carthage.

wrote about him a lot Roman writers and historians representing the enemy.And we gave him credit as a commander, whose martial art often based on personal heroism.Who is Hannibal in history: the winner or loser?

He was the son of Hamilcar Barca and descended from an ancient Punic trading-Barkidy aristocratic family, who gave the history of many famous politicians and generals.Rod took its origin from one of the satellites of the founder of Carthage - the legendary Queen Dido.Particular impact had Barkidy in Spain.

Hannibal Barca (247-183gg. BC. E.) - The most famous member of the genus Barkidov.Being the first-born in the family, it was intended, according to ancient custom, Carthaginians, in sacrifice to the god Baal.But Hamilcar Barca baby son has replaced slave, and Hannibal was transferred to Iberia, and only years later returned to Carthage.He was trained as an implacable enemy longtime enemy - Rome - and even gave an oath before the altar of a lifetime struggle with a powerful rival.

worth noting that the father and son played in the struggle between Carthage and Rome prominent role.It has become a kind of natural culmination of all previous development of the Western Mediterranean.

Hannibal took part in military campaigns in Spain, headed by his father, with the conquest of the Iberian tribes.In 221 BChe was proclaimed chief of the army of Carthage.Napa 219, at the Sagunto, he actually provoked the Second Punic War. in 218 BC.e.his foray into the land of Italy inflicted several defeats, including the most significant of them - at Cannes.But the Romans, seize the initiative, launched an offensive in Spain and Africa.Carthage was forced to seek help from Hannibal.Called to Africa, he was defeated at Zama, which resulted in the conclusion of peace with Rome.

Virtually no exact information about when and how much Hannibal in the years after the signing of the contract.It is known that he was attracted to the court, accused of embezzling the spoils of war, and that it was not occupied Rome.However, in the eyes of the people, Hannibal, despite the defeat, continued to be considered a national hero.As punishment for the "crime" was not due to a strong influence Barkidov.Besides Carthage needed a military leader, able to keep an army of mercenaries.He was also appointed as the highest official of Carthage - suffete.Due to the reforms carried out against the oligarchs managed to pay indemnity to Rome.

this action he made himself many enemies.He was accused of anti-Roman sentiment, in collusion with Antiochus III - the king of Syria - with the aim of starting a war with Rome.Senate urged Hannibal to answer, but he was not brought before the Council of Elders.By providing the situation, the commander allegedly sailed on an important mission in the power of the Seleucids in Tyre.

in 186 BC.e.he can move to Prus, to the king of Bithynia, which subsequently demanded the release Barki.Probably vysluzhivayas the Romans, he gave Hannibal.Not wanting to give up in the hands of the enemy, the commander took poison that has been stored, just in case in the ring, and was always with him.

There is much debate: whether Barca national hero, it is great merit in his struggle with Rome, what is his place in history, who is Hannibal?First of all, he was a military genius.Among the prominent strategist of antiquity: Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, Scipio and others - took their place and Hannibal.The commander, who was named military historian Theodore Ayrault Dodge "father of strategy".Even his sworn enemies he borrowed many elements of martial arts.Modern historians, along with the Romans, paid tribute to his maneuvers, tricks, reliability, intelligence and personal courage.

Few answers the question of who is Hannibal.The man, whose name has imposed an incredible fear of the Romans.Famed expression «Hannibal ante portas», meaning "Hannibal at the gate," was the popular expression in Rome.That it will sound during the revolt of Spartacus as a personification of fear and danger of taking the city.

Hannibal - a great military leader, who shared the hardships and dangers of war with his soldiers.He never ordered others to do what could not be done in person.That alone earned him considerable prestige among the Carthaginian army and among the soldiers of the enemy.

It is the largest strategist of his time, made a significant contribution to the development of world art of war.His ability to correctly characterize the military-political situation, carefully organize the exploration, taking care of the rear of the army, supply bases, in-depth study of the theater of operations, providing long passages of his troops and praised the modern historians.

basis of his army were the Army and maneuverable African cavalry - the main striking force.The skillful use of the terrain, surprise, an excellent knowledge of the tactics of his opponent, daring maneuvers and a decisive blow on the battlefield - the main features of the tactics of Hannibal, the most pronounced in the Battle of Cannae.Example surrounded by major enemy forces on the two flanks and the complete destruction of the crown of the art of war became a military genius, which is highly appreciated at the time of its irreconcilable enemies.

poison of life ring interrupted the greatest individual in history.Later Cicero would say the word that the citizens of Hannibal drove him, and we have our enemy glorified in the memory and writings.Indeed, the surprising fact that it is in the writings of the Romans and was preserved the memory of Hannibal Barka for posterity.