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Which Gallic tribes supported Hannibal before his Alpine crossing?
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Hannibal
Hannibal, engraving by John Chapman, 1800.
Before crossing the Alps, Hannibal received support from the Boii, a Celtic tribe based in northern Italy. The Boii were motivated to assist him because their lands had been reduced by recent Roman settlements, and they possessed valuable knowledge of the Alpine passes.1
Additionally, while in the region of the Rhone and Isère rivers, Hannibal encountered the Allobroges tribe. During a civil war between two Allobroges chieftains, Hannibal provided assistance to the elder brother, Brancus, who in return supplied the Carthaginian army with necessary provisions for their journey.1