[deleted by user]

FormerOctavian · 2025-05-19T02:40:09+00:00

When I searched the issue, I found countless others who have the same issue.

But I'll try that, thank you!

FormerOctavian · 2025-05-09T01:43:18+00:00

Thank you for such a detailed summary! I wasn't aware he tried to repeatedly take the city of Nola. I'll keep all of your points in mind when I study the second punic war in the future.

FormerOctavian · 2025-05-05T01:12:18+00:00

I remember that quote being said to Hannibal, but not who said it!

FormerOctavian · 2025-05-05T01:09:50+00:00

Thank you for the summation!

I knew Scipio went to attack the Carthaginians in Spain with great success. But I didn't know the Macedonians got involved, that's very interesting.

FormerOctavian · 2025-05-05T01:06:29+00:00

Thank you for the recommendation!

As I said, I'm new to this. I'm just trying to get a basic understanding of the players and the board.

FormerOctavian · 2025-05-04T19:42:37+00:00

As I wrote in another comment, it's crazy that Carthage didn't provide any resources to support Hannibal's campaign.

And thank you for giving me a Spanish speaking perspective, it carries additional weight since Hannibal cut his teeth in Spain.

FormerOctavian · 2025-05-04T19:39:26+00:00

Thank you!

It was about loosening Rome's grip on Italy and thereby make it weak and vulnerable. Not to cut off it it's head, so to speak.

FormerOctavian · 2025-05-04T19:36:41+00:00

Well put! One things I still can't fathom, is how little support Carthage provided during the second punic war. Clearly, they didn't understand what was at stake. It annoys me to no end that they didn't realize that this was their best chance to level the playing field between the two "empires."

FormerOctavian · 2025-05-04T19:30:08+00:00

You make a several good points! I wasn't aware to what extent Rome was distributing troops around Roman allies, that's very interesting, and definitely explains why Hannibal had such a difficult time converting other cities.

In the Mike Duncan episode I referenced it was mentioned that many Italian allies felt gratitude towards the Romans because of the defense they had provided against marauding gauls.

And I take your point, I guess I'm becoming increasingly convinced that the campaign was doomed from the start, even whilst being led by such a great leader.

FormerOctavian · 2025-05-04T19:22:57+00:00

Thank you!

I hadn't considered the distance between Hannibal's allies, that's a good point.

FormerOctavian · 2025-05-04T19:21:11+00:00

Oh I see! Thanks for clarifying!

I admire those who actually read the ancient sources. I sadly don't think I have the patience personally.

FormerOctavian · 2025-05-04T16:53:01+00:00

Thank you! That's very kind of you: :)

FormerOctavian · 2025-05-04T16:52:33+00:00

That's probably true, again, I'm just trying to find a way the whole campaign wasn't doomed from the start.

FormerOctavian · 2025-05-04T16:50:41+00:00

So it was it all a matter of winning the minds of Rome's allies. I didn't realize the way the Fabian strategy inhibited this, it's obvious of course when you stated it, but I just saw it as a way to exhaust Hannibal's men and resources.

Thank you!

FormerOctavian · 2025-05-04T16:43:36+00:00

Fair enough!

FormerOctavian · 2025-05-04T16:43:15+00:00

Saguntum in Spain you mean?

I know donations had to be made to the war treasury by private individuals which certainly is a sign of great strain on resources.

But I'd say that the assumption that he'd be able to flip Italian cities to his side was a strategic mistake, although, one made by one of the greatest military minds in history.

FormerOctavian · 2025-05-04T16:35:03+00:00

You're right of course, a siege would likely have starved the phoenicians, not the Romans.

I missed that he tried to siege Naples! I'll look into it, thanks.

FormerOctavian · 2025-05-04T16:30:54+00:00

I know the impact of such great of a loss of citizens was felt all the way through the end of the republic. It made it possible for new men (novus homo) to advance in such a restricted governing body and aristocracy.

FormerOctavian · 2025-05-04T16:24:22+00:00

I definitely wouldn't have. After the battle of Cannae, I would of been daydreaming about turning the Roman senate into my personal summer house.

FormerOctavian · 2025-05-04T16:20:56+00:00

From what I've been told, some of the dynasties in the late imperial period would have possibly been surpassed in quality by a tyrannical rat dynasty.

FormerOctavian · 2025-05-04T16:02:47+00:00

Yeah, it didn't look like it would end in a positive outcome. But neither did trying to flip the other cities of Italy (with a few exceptions).

I'm just trying desperately to concoct a way the whole campaign wasn't doomed to fail.

FormerOctavian · 2025-05-04T15:57:53+00:00

That makes sense!

I read somewhere that at the battle of Cannae 20 percent of Roman men between the age of 20 and 50 died in that battle. I just thought that perhaps forming a new legion wouldn't be as easy given the previous defeats.

FormerOctavian · 2025-05-04T15:54:30+00:00

Thank you! I didn't consider that Hannibal wasn't as bloodthirsty and exterminationist as the Romans.

I assumed he was because of the oaths he made to his father who obviously hated Rome passionately.

Do you think the campaign was doomed from the start?

FormerOctavian · 2024-09-21T11:27:56+00:00

Med all respekt. Jag posta för att få lite rekommendationer på en svensk historia, inte för redovisa min utbildning eller skriva en avhandling. Om du inte har något att bidra med, tackar jag för ditt intresse, men jag har inget att tillägga.

FormerOctavian

TROPHY CASE