Comparing Strategies of the 2D Punic War: Rome's Strategic Victory Over the Tactical/Operational Genius, Hannibal Barca

Abstract

The period of time, 225-202 BC, in the Western Mediterranean, was a crucial turning point in the history of the Western World. The Roman Republic defeated its greatest rival, Carthage, and set the stage for Rome's 600 years domination of the Western World. It determined which culture, Greek/Roman or Semitic/Phoenician, would dominate the development of the Western World. This paper will focus on the strategic failure of Carthage and its military leader, Hannibal, during the Second Punic War. It will compare and contrast the national strategies employed by both Rome and Carthage. Carthage failed to effectively employ all aspects of national power into a national strategy, which doomed Carthage when confronted with the more coherent Roman strategy. Hannibal's unparalleled tactical/operational successes in Italy were rendered irrelevant to the war's conclusion.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 10, 2001
Accession Number
ADA389812

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  • J. E. S. Parker

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  • United States Army War College

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