Hannibal, Scipio, the Punic Wars and Strategy Part One

The first of three talks discussing the strategy in trhe Second Punic War between Rome and Carthage. In Part One, we take an overview, consider the roots of conflict between the Carthaginians and Romans, and go through the narratives of the First, Second and Third Punic Wars. Along the way, we encounter some of the big names, like Hannibal, his father Hamilcar Barca, and Scipio Africanus. Part Two to follow next week and Part Three a week later, as I thought that I would release these talks consecutively. For further reading, my own ideas are developed in A. Goldsworthy, THE PUNIC WARS (2000), which has been re-released as THE FALL OF CARTHAGE. The text is identical, and it's only the title that differs. Also, CANNAE. HANNIBAL'S GREATEST VICTORY (2001 & 2019). The most thorough narrative of the Second Punic War is still J. Lazenby, The Second Punic War. For ancient sources the starting point is Polybius, then Livy for a more complete, if later narrative, supplemented by Diodorus, Appian, Plutarch's Lives of Fabius Maximus, Marcellus and Scipio Africanus etc.