Hannibal

Introduction
Early life
The march into Gaul
The Alpine crossing
The war in Italy
The wars in Spain and Africa
Exile and death
Personality

References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics

Images & Videos

Illustration of Hannibal the Carthaginian general wearing a metal helmet and armor, holding a shield decorated with a horse.

Hannibal's daring strategy against Rome explained

Historical map of the western Mediterranean region during the Punic Wars, showing Carthaginian territory in orange and Roman territory in green around 270 BCE. Hannibal's route from Spain, across the Alps, and into Italy between 219 and 202 BCE is marked with a red line. Key battle sites with years are labeled throughout Spain, Italy, Sicily, and North Africa.

How Hannibal's conquests led to the fall of Carthage

At a Glance

Hannibal summary

Quizzes

Overlooking the Roman Forum with Temple of Saturn in Rome, Italy

The Roman Empire

U.S. general Douglas MacArthur in the Philippines, Oct. 1944 - Aug. 1945. General of the Army Gen. MacArthur (smoking a corncob pipe) probably at Manila, Philippine Islands, August 2, 1945.

Famous Faces of War

Tecumseh. Battle of the Thames, Ontario, Canada, and the death of Tecumseh. Col. Richard M. Johnson with the Kentucky volunteers on left battle with Tecumseh and his Native troops. Native American Shawnee chief. North American indian. (See Notes)

Military History Buff Quiz

Related Questions

At what age did Hannibal become commander of the Carthaginian army in Spain?
How did Brancus help Hannibal’s army during its march through Gaul?
How did Hamilcar Barca influence Hannibal’s hostility toward Rome?
How did Hannibal change Carthage’s government after becoming suffete?
How did Hannibal use a double envelopment at the Battle of Cannae?
How did Hanno help Hannibal’s army cross the Rhône River?
How did Hasdrubal Barca attempt to help Hannibal in Italy?
How did Quintus Fabius Maximus Cunctator try to weaken Hannibal’s army?
How did Rome recapture Capua despite Hannibal’s attempt to relieve the siege?
How did Scipio Africanus defeat Hannibal at the Battle of Zama?
How long did Hannibal’s journey from Cartagena to Italy take?
How long did Hannibal’s siege of Saguntum last?
How many elephants did Hannibal bring across the Alps into Italy?
Where did Hannibal win his first major battle against Roman forces in Italy?
Which Gallic tribes supported Hannibal before his Alpine crossing?
Which rulers gave Hannibal refuge during his exile from Carthage?
Why did Capua join Hannibal after the Battle of Cannae?
Why did Gauls and Ligurians join Hannibal after the Battle of the Trebbia River?
Why did Hannibal choose to invade Italy by land instead of by sea?
Why did Hannibal march close to Rome in 211 BCE?
Why did Hannibal take poison at Libyssa?
Why did Hannibal’s centre line fall back during the Battle of Cannae?
Why did Hasdrubal’s defeat at the Battle of the Metaurus change the course of the war?
Why did Rome demand that Carthage surrender Hannibal after the fall of Saguntum?
Why did many of Rome’s Italian allies remain loyal after Hannibal’s victories?
Why did the Battle of Lake Trasimene lead Rome to use the Fabian strategy?
Why do historians treat some Roman accounts of Hannibal with caution?
What was Dwight D. Eisenhower’s family like?
Where was Dwight D. Eisenhower educated?
How did Dwight D. Eisenhower become famous?
When was Dwight D. Eisenhower president?
When was Benjamin Netanyahu first elected prime minister of Israel?
What was Alexander Hamilton’s early life like?
Why is Alexander Hamilton famous?
How did Andrew Jackson become well-known in the United States?
What were Andrew Jackson’s accomplishments?
What is St. Joan of Arc patron saint of?

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External Websites

National Center for Biotechnology Information - PubMed Central - Hannibalï¿½s Ophthalmiaï¿½A New Answer to An Ancient Question
Dickinson College Commentaries - Hannibal (247ï¿½183 BC)
Livius - Hannibal Barca
World History Encyclopedia - Biography of Hannibal
BBC Sounds - In Our Time - Hannibal
La Salle University Digital Commons - Hannibal Barca: For Carthage: The Right Man for the Wrong Time
Denison University Libraries - Digital Commons - Hannibal's Importance in the Second Punic War

Britannica Websites

Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.

Hannibal - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11)
Hannibal - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)

Hannibal

Carthaginian general [247-c.181 BCE]

Written by

William Culican

Reader in History, University of Melbourne, 1972–84. Author of The Medes and Persians and others.

William CulicanAll

Fact-checked by

Britannica Editors

Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....

Britannica Editors

Last updated

Sep. 18, 2026 •History

Hannibal (born 247 bce, North Africa—died c. 183–181 bce, Libyssa, Bithynia [near Gebze, Turkey]) was a Carthaginian general, one of the great military leaders of antiquity, who commanded the Carthaginian forces against Rome in the Second Punic War (218–201 bce) and who continued to oppose Rome and its satellites until his death. Hannibal was the son of the great Carthaginian general Hamilcar Barca. The Greek historian Polybius and the Roman historian Livy are the two...

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