elephants | The Death of Carthage

Why is Scipio Africanus Considered a Military Genius for Clearing a Path for Hannibal’s Elephants? Isn’t that the Obvious Thing to Do?

September 11, 2019 By Robin Levin Leave a Comment

Elephants were known to wreak havoc in ancient warfare. In the case of Zama, it wasn’t a simple matter of stepping out of way and clearing a path for the elephants. Scipio wanted Hannibal to think that his elephants would be effective in disrupting the Roman lines, so he disguised the paths he was planning […]

Filed Under: Carthage Tagged With: Battle of Ilipa., Battle of Zama, elephants, Hannibal, Hasdrubal Son of Gisco, Mago Barca, New Carthage, publius cornelius scipio africanus, Second Punic War

Whatever Happened to Hannibal’s Elephants?

October 2, 2013 By Robin Levin 5 Comments

In ancient times there was widespread use of elephants in warfare. The first use of elephants in military campaigns probably occurred in India sometime during the first millennium B.C. The practice eventually spread eastward to Burma, Thailand, Cambodia and Laos, and westward to Greece and North Africa. In 326 B.C. Alexander the Great invaded India, […]

Filed Under: Ancient Rome, Carthage Tagged With: Battle of Pydna, Battle of Trebia, elephants, Hannibal, Pyrrhus of Epirus, rome, Scipio Aemilianus, Scipio Africanus, Second Punic War, Third Macidonian War

Book Review: The Sword of Carthage by Vaughn Heppner

June 6, 2012 By Robin Levin Leave a Comment

The Sword of Carthage The Sword of Carthage, by Vaughn Heppner, tells a tale of the first Punic war through the eyes of Hamilcar Barca, the father of Hannibal. In writing The Death of Carthage, my novel of the second and third Punic wars, I naturally tried to learn all I could […]