“Ingrata Patria, ne osse quidem habebis”- Ungrateful fatherland, you won’t even have my bones. Scipio Africanus was by far the most effective Roman military figure of the Second Punic War. After his father and uncle were killed in the Battles of the Upper Baetis in 211 B.C., he somehow got himself elected to take their […]
Quora Question: When and Why did the Romans Begin to Conquer Other Peoples
April 4, 2019 By Leave a Comment
The Romans were always warlike. Their only prolonged period of peace was under their second king, Numa. The doors to the Temple of Janus were closed only during time of peace, and they were only closed once during the period between the reign of King Numa and the Principate of Augustus, a period of perhaps […]
Quora Question: What did Hannibal Think of the Romans
March 18, 2019 By 2 Comments
Hannibal was indoctrinated by his father, Hamilcar Barca, to hate the Romans. There is a story that, before taking Hannibal with him to Spain, Hamilcar took him to the Temple of Elissa at Carthage and made him swear an oath: “When I come to age, I shall pursue the Romans with fire and sword and […]
Did the Romans Salt the Earth Around Carthage After They Destroyed It?
May 23, 2017 By 4 Comments
Did the Romans Salt the Earth Around Carthage after the Third Punic War? The notion that the Romans salted the earth around Carthage is a bit like the story of Washington cutting down the cherry tree. It is something every school child knows, and is also something that, in all likelihood has no basis in […]
Why Did the Romans Destroy Carthage?
January 30, 2017 By 12 Comments
The Punic wars were a pivotal point in Roman history. Rome emerged from them literally ready and able to conquer the world. After the Second Punic War, Carthage was subdued. They were devoid of warships, war elephants and sources of mercenary soldiers. They could not even effectively defend themselves against their Numidian neighbors who […]
Review of In the Wake of Hannibal by U.S. Review of Books
August 22, 2016 By Leave a Comment
reviewed by Peter M. Fitzpatrick “Cannae would take its place alongside the battle of Marathon and the battle of Gaugamela as one of the most one-sided victories in the history of warfare.” The Carthaginian Empire successfully invaded the Iberian Peninsula (Modern Spain) after Hamilcar Barca established Carthage’s presence there, initially to secure important gold and […]
A Guest Post from Arlene Sen. Why I’m Voting Against Trump: It’s Personal Now!
August 8, 2016 By 1 Comment
It’s Personal Now The big-toothed grin of the enormous painted face on Steeplechase, the Coney Island playland, will always be one of my best memories. Papa Jimmy took me to Steeplechase during the summers. He put up with the crowds and noise so his little girl could enjoy all the rides in the cavernous Victorian […]
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