Hannibal was born in 247 BC. in Carthage, the Phoenician city-state, the largest commercial, cultural and military center of the Mediterranean in the family of the noble and influential commander Hamilcar Barca (the nickname given to him and his sons by Roman historians for the speed of his campaigns means "Lightning").
Nothing is known about Hannibal's mother, however, as well as about his three older sisters (except for who were their husbands). And this is not surprising, because the birth of a daughter was considered a misfortune.
He also had two brothers: Hasdrubal and Magon.
Hannibal's clan, which belonged to the highest Carthaginian aristocratic families, traced its lineage to one of the companions of the legendary founder of the city of Elissa.
Like any father, Hamilcar had high hopes for his sons, wanting them to follow in his footsteps and not only continue the struggle with Rome, but also destroy it. Unfortunately, he often went on "business trips": the Senate constantly sent him to fight with someone, and there were many of his own affairs, so he rarely saw the children. But when he could, he always vigilantly watched the success of his children, calling them lion cubs, which he raises for the destruction of Rome.
And now a little about the name. Hannibal is an established pronunciation among historians, which could have been different, because Phoenician did not provide for vowels and the name was written as "HNB'L", which can be interpreted in different ways:
1. Ḥannibaʻ (a) l, which means “Baal is merciful” or “gift of Baal” (Baal is one of the most important Phoenician gods)
2. Ḥannoba'al, with the same meaning, Promotional video:
3. ʼDNB'L ʼAdniba'al, which means "Baal is my lord"; in Greek - Greek. Ἁννίβας, Hanníbas.
When Hannibal was 9 years old, Hamilcar decided to take him with him to Spain, where a military campaign was planned. She had to help Carthage to get out of the difficult situation, which led to the failed First Punic War (the Romans called the Carthaginians Puns) and pay a huge indemnity.
Before leaving, it was necessary to make sacrifices to the gods and Hamilcar asked his son if he wanted to go with him? Of course the guy agreed and his joy knew no bounds! But his father ordered him to take an oath to be an implacable enemy of Rome, which Hannibal did and did not retreat from her until his death. The "Hannibal Oath" has become a proverb and since then has meant firm determination, a fight with anything or someone to the bitter end, by all means, and make victory the goal of all life.
And so, upon arrival in Spain, Hannibal begins a fun life: he lived, grew up and was brought up in the army of his father, among the soldiers whom he learned to understand (not only in language, because he could communicate with almost all fighters from most tribes, but also nature, which later came in handy for him in commanding them) and appreciate why the soldiers (no matter what tribe they were) adored and loved him, ready to follow him into fire and water. There he also met his future friends and military leaders on the Italian campaign.
His tutor was the Spartan Sosil (and the Spartans were considered the best teachers for future warriors), who taught the young Hannibal the Greek language and was in all his campaigns, and among the Carthaginians, by the way, it was forbidden to take teachers of non-Phoenician origin in order to preserve traditions and identity. Hamilcar wanted not only to give his sons a better education, but also pursued a more distant goal: there were many Greeks in the Mediterranean and, understanding them, it was easier to live with them, negotiate and perhaps even rule over them.
Of course, his father dragged him everywhere with him on any military campaigns where Hannibal gained experience. The gold and silver mines of the Sierra Morena were conquered (remember them, they will still be mentioned, although who will now forget about the gold or silver mines?), Where they immediately began minting coins to pay an indemnity to Rome, and then to pay for the services of mercenaries from all over the Mediterranean and the preparation of a revanchist war with Rome.
A stubborn struggle began with the Spanish (then they were called Iberian) tribes. In one of such skirmishes, Hamilcar heroically fell, giving his sons the opportunity to escape when one of the leaders of the Iberians, betraying him, attacked the Phoenicians, breaking through the line with burning carts drawn by bulls. However, some will say that drowning in the river thrown by a horse is not very heroic, but he distracted attention from the sons, which allowed them to hide.
If not for this tragedy, the Second Punic War would have started earlier, and so power passed to Hamilcar's son-in-law, Hasdrubal the Handsome, a comrade in arms, his most trusted friend and his "right hand", the founder of Cartagena, by the way, that is, New Carthage. He first took revenge on the assassins of Hamilcar and continued the conquest of the Iberian Peninsula. Hannibal and his brothers, meanwhile, went to Carthage and spent 5 years there, after which they returned with the rank of commanders of the Carthaginian army, carrying out various assignments, gaining fame as excellent soldiers and commanders. Of course, Hannibal stood out the most.
But when the Carthaginian possessions approached Sagunt, events began to develop according to a dangerous scenario. Both Rome and Carthage wanted to get this Greek city under their protectorate. Both sides began an invisible war over the city with intrigue and treacherous, dastardly tricks. In the city itself, two parties fought: the pro-Roman and the pro-Carphagenian. The first turned to Rome for help, and they succeeded before the Carthaginians, corny cutting out all the dissatisfied.
And then Hasdrubal ordered to live a long time and gave an oak tree: one of the Celtic slaves, in a fit of righteous anger, decided to avenge the death of his master, who was executed by the order of Handsome, which he succeeded … But in vain … When he fell into the hands of the Carthaginians … Khe- m … In general, the inquisitors with their "iron maidens", "Spanish boots" and red-hot needles under their fingernails nervously smoke aside from admiration, and we will continue our story.
The army, having amused itself and somehow pacified its indignation, proclaimed Hannibal commander-in-chief. The Carthaginian People's Assembly followed the example of the military, and a couple of months later the council of elders.
In two years, Hannibal conquered several large tribes and expanded the possessions of Carthage to the northwest. That was not easy. Battles followed battles, and when it seemed that victory was in his hands and he was heading home, the remnants of the surviving enemies persuaded the neighboring tribes and, having gathered a huge army (rumors say about 100 thousand units), attacked the Carthaginians. But here, too, the commander-in-chief of Carthage managed not only to get out alive from a knowingly losing position, but also to win, skillfully maneuvering and showing the highest level of skill in tactics and strategy: he retreated, crossed the river and attacked the enemy infantrymen who were crossing the river (who could hardly hold on to not to be carried away by a strong current) cavalry, which calmly chopped off almost defenseless enemies, without fear of the current,which turned out to be catastrophic losses for the Iberians and complete defeat and recognition of the power of Carthage.
In the same year, he married an Iberian woman named Imilka, following the tradition of his father and uncle to strengthen his position in the conquered territories, becoming “his boyfriend” there. And this is 26 years old! At 26!
And now let's return to Sagunta, here it is, by the way, this is the “apple of Mediterranean discord”:
The Romans demanded that the new commander-in-chief of the Carthaginians refrain from any hostile actions against the Sagunta, which was under Roman protectorate. To say that Hannibal received the ambassadors arrogantly means to say nothing at all, because he needed a war (vows must be kept!) And he knew the Romans, their tactics and cunning, therefore, he joked, saying: "The Carthaginians from time immemorial observe the rule to protect all the oppressed", then screwing up his eyes, laughed maliciously. Not getting a normal answer from the Punian, they left for Carthage, thinking that his "bosses" would be more accommodating. And then Hannibal took absolutely all measures available to him in order to start a war, and not just start, but provoke the Saguntians to attack, so that from the outside it seemed that they had begun, and the Carthaginians were exposed as defenders. And he succeeded, he got hooked onthat the Saguntians oppress the Carthaginian tributaries, one of the Iberian tribes. The Council authorized him to act as he saw fit, so to speak, gave him carte blanche. Hannibal got his way. Even before the ambassadors left, the Carthaginian army laid siege to Sagunt.
And then the real hard work began, since the siege was very fierce, the townspeople did not even think about surrender. The battles were fought constantly and both sides suffered heavy losses, but the townspeople were fewer and, in general, everything was in favor of Hannibal, except for one thing: time. The siege dragged on for 8 months! In one of the battles, Hannibal was seriously wounded in the thigh and for the first time both sides stopped fighting, waiting for the recovery of the commander: the Carthaginians were impatient, and the Saguntians were terrified. But despite the break, everyone worked tirelessly: some dug trenches, built siege weapons, while others frantically restored the destroyed parts of the city's fortifications. After Hannibal went out to the troops, an even more fierce assault began (and the townspeople thought it was much worse? But they still had to visit all the circles of hell drawn by the Great Puniyan),which brought the end of the city closer: attackers rushed into the gap. The Saguntians fought for their lives, despair gripped their souls and gave them courage, for they understood that if they did not stop the attackers, then the end would come not only for them, but also for their families, relatives and friends. And the Carthaginians also thought that the deed was done - they just had to crush a little, and the city would be theirs. The relentless massacre continued for a long time, until the townspeople managed to break the spirit of the attackers, who wavered and fled to the very camp. Watching such an amazing peplum, Hannibal gave his soldiers a rest, realizing that they need time to move away from such impressions and restore their fighting spirit.that if the attackers are not stopped, then the end will come not only for them, but also for their families, relatives and friends. And the Carthaginians also thought that the deed was done - they just had to crush a little, and the city would be theirs. The relentless massacre continued for a long time, until the townspeople managed to break the spirit of the attackers, who wavered and fled to the very camp. Watching such an amazing peplum, Hannibal gave his soldiers a rest, realizing that they need time to move away from such impressions and restore their fighting spirit.that if the attackers are not stopped, then the end will come not only for them, but also for their families, relatives and friends. And the Carthaginians also thought that the deed was done - they just had to crush a little, and the city would be theirs. The relentless massacre continued for a long time, until the townspeople managed to break the spirit of the attackers, who wavered and fled to the very camp. Watching such an amazing peplum, Hannibal gave his soldiers a rest, realizing that they need time to move away from such impressions and restore their fighting spirit. Watching such an amazing peplum, Hannibal gave his soldiers a rest, realizing that they need time to move away from such impressions and restore their fighting spirit. Watching such an amazing peplum, Hannibal gave his soldiers a rest, realizing that they need time to move away from such impressions and restore their fighting spirit.
Now Hannibal got down to business seriously and personally led the soldiers into the attack. An even more fierce battle broke out, the townspeople did not know where to run, shouts were heard from all sides, they were attacked from all sides. This time, the Carthaginians were lucky and they managed to gain a foothold inside the city, capturing a bridgehead for a further offensive. And the heroic townspeople built a new wall, already inside the city, but the supplies ran out, there was nowhere to wait for help, they inevitably retreated, giving the Carthaginians house after house.
By the way, Hannibal was nicknamed "Lightning" for a reason. While his troops attacked Sagunt, he, leaving for the elder Magarbal, managed to make a couple of raids on neighboring tribes, and when he returned, he immediately led the soldiers into the attack.
The battles continued in the best traditions of the Battle of Stalingrad for every street and house, when the most cowardly (or prudent?) Began negotiations for surrender. Hannibal, apparently angered by the stubborn resistance, set up deliberately unacceptable conditions: the townspeople must go out in the same clothes and settle where the Iberians offending them say. The ambassadors cried out in sorrow that whoever brought such conditions would be killed immediately.
But if one immediately went over to Hannibal, then the other decided to voice the conditions. The townspeople, having heard him, muttered something like: “Here is the damned Herod! Carthaginian svolota! ", And for the most part silently, right during the speech, they began to bring their property and burn it," so that the filthy thief would not get it. " Even the guards went to see what was happening (and, probably, to throw "firewood" into the city fire), which Hannibal took advantage of, freely passing into the city, which was taken in the blink of an eye. The townspeople resisted fiercely, without hope of salvation, but outside the walls it was easier to do it, which now made life easier for the Carthaginians. The commander-in-chief, angered by such stubborn resistance, ordered to kill the entire adult population indiscriminately and with pity, which, however, was not particularly required,since the surviving townspeople locked their homes with their families and set them on fire with their own hands, others threw themselves at the swords of the Carthaginians, and still others on their own. Children and women were sold into slavery. Phoenician colonists settled in the city.
This battle was not easy for the Carthaginians: many were wounded or killed. But for Hannibal, it's like a lumberjack losing a couple of trees … in a dense forest. Yes, you have to try to replenish supplies, but Hannibal was an excellent "lumberjack".
The Romans demanded the extradition of the "butcher" Hannibal, but the council of elders, as they always did in the wisest way, simply kept silent.
Rome declared war on Carthage in March 218 BC. and sent troops to Spain and Sicily. Hannibal partially dismissed his Iberians (no, not in the sense that they completely got out of their hands, but in the fact that he sent them home on a well-deserved rest with a wallet tightly stuffed with Sierra Morena gold and silver), partially sent them to Africa to strengthen the garrisons. Then he launched a vigorous and energetic diplomatic activity: he persuaded most of the Gauls (suffering from Roman oppression) to come out on his side, others to raise an uprising, which pretty much spoiled the blood of the inhabitants of the eternal city and added gray hair to the heads of the senators. The Carthage Senate sent a fleet to southern Italy and Sicily, which forced the Romans to abandon the invasion of Africa, and Hannibal himself had already planned his legendary and tragic campaign. Both sides placed their pieces on a huge chessboard spread over two continents. Everything was ready for a war that shook the entire Mediterranean!