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Second Punic War: Quick Facts

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Facts

Also Known As Second Carthaginian War
Date 218 BCE - 201
Participants Carthage • ancient Rome

Photos

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.
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Related Topics and References

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Timeline

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Battle of the Trebbia River
December 218 BCE
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Battle of Trasimene
June 217 BCE
Three-panel map showing troop movements and positions during the Battle of Cannae on August 2, 216 BCE in the Second Punic War. Roman forces are marked in blue and Carthaginian forces in red, with infantry, cavalry, and skirmishers distinguished by different symbols. The panels illustrate the Roman advance, the Carthaginian encirclement strategy led by Hannibal, and the eventual encirclement and defeat of the Roman army near the river Aufidus. Key locations such as Cannae, Hannibal's camp, and c
Battle of Cannae
216 BCE
The western Mediterranean during the Punic Wars
Siege of Syracuse
214 BCE - 212
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Battle of Ilipa
206 BCE
Battle of Zama
Battle of Zama
202 BCE

Key People

Illustration of Hannibal the Carthaginian general wearing a metal helmet and armor, holding a shield decorated with a horse.
Hannibal
Carthaginian general [247-c.181 BCE]
Silver coin from Carthago Nova, believed to be a portrait of Scipio Africanus the Elder; in the Royal Collection of Coins and Medals, National Museum, Copenhagen.
Scipio Africanus
Roman general
Fabius Maximus Verrucosus, Quintus
Quintus Fabius Maximus Verrucosus
Roman statesman and commander
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Gaius Flaminius
Roman politician
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Gaius Claudius Nero
Roman military commander
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Masinissa
king of Numidia
Scipio, Publius Cornelius
Publius Cornelius Scipio
Roman general [died 211 bce]
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Maharbal
Carthaginian military commander
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Hieron II
tyrant and king of Syracuse
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Hasdrubal
Carthaginian general [died 207 BCE]
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Marcus Claudius Marcellus
Roman general [died 208 BCE]
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Mago
Carthaginian general
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Syphax
king of the Masaesyli
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Gaius Laelius
Roman general
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Quintus Fabius Pictor
Roman historian

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