Hannibal před branami - Kartágo proti Římu 218-202 př. n. l. – Richter Karel (2019)

In human history, there are not many personalities whose names are synonymous with extraordinary qualities and deeds. Hannibal, son of Hamilcar, the outstanding Carthaginian general and politician during the Second Punic War (218–202 BC), undoubtedly belongs among them. He was raised with a love for his homeland and a determination to fight for it with all his might. After taking command of the Carthaginian army in Hispania, he began his fight against Carthage's long-time rival, Rome. He decided to lead the campaign on its own territory – in Italy, which he entered through an unprecedented and famous march across the Pyrenees and the Alps for that time. Thanks to his extraordinary tactical abilities, he managed to defeat Roman legions several times decisively – particularly notable are the battles at Trebia, Lake Trasimene, and the most famous one at Cannae. This led to the well-known warning Hannibal ante portas – Hannibal at the gates (of Rome). However, the prolonged military campaign exhausted his army and funds for further warfare dwindled. Meanwhile, the Romans rallied, and the general Publius Cornelius Scipio entered the fray. He defeated Hannibal in his Carthaginian homeland at Zama in 202 BC. This battle marked the end of the Second Punic War, and Hannibal's fate concluded with his suicide out of fear of capture...