HANNIBAL
Hannibal Barkas was one of the greatest strategists of ancient times. He took over command of the Carthaginian army in 221 BC, after the death of the outstanding commander in chief Hasdrubal. His goal was to expand the territory of Carthage. In 218 BC he conquered the allied with Rome city-state Sagunto located on the Iberian Peninsula, by which he started the outbreak of the Second Punic War (218-201 BC). After the capitulation of Sagunto, Rome sent a group of envoys to Carthage with the message requesting the release of Hannibal as a warmonger. As one might guess, they returned empty-handed.
The Carthaginian war with Rome became a reality. Hannibal set off to the Apennine Peninsula with his army and war elephants which were arousing tremendous fear among the Romans. He crossed the Pyrenees, southern Gaul and the Alps. The first clash with the Romans took place on the bank of the Ticino River, which as well as the next battle on the bank of the Trebbia River, was led by Hannibal to victory, opening the way to the middle Italy.
The most famous defeat of the Romans in the clash against the brave commander in chief was the Battle of Cannae in 216 BC. After that series of the victories the Romans coined the phrase: "Hannibal ante portas," meaning "Hannibal at the gates", which so far is used as a warning against a coming danger. Eventually the Second Punic War ended with signing a peace treaty in 201 BC after the defeat of Hannibal’s army at Zama. Carthage had to renounce all its territories in Europe and pay an enormous contribution.