2nd Punic war (218-201 BC)

After 1st Punic War, in 241 BC Carthage has no alternative to accepting the Roman peace terms and surrendering possession of the whole of Sicily to Rome. Three years later the Senate took advantage of Carthage’s difficulties to seize Sardinia.

Hannibal Barca, one of the most brilliance generals in history, led a rejuvenated Carthage against Rome. In 2nd Punic War, Hannibal with a full baggage train and elephants, marched eastward along the Mediterranean’s north coast from Spain and crossed the Alps in a journey into Italy, where he had success against Roman forces.

The Carthaginians victory in the Battle of Cannae in 216 BC was one of the worst defeats in Roman history.

In 202 BC at Zama, northwest of Carthage, Hannibal was defeated by a Roman army under General Scipio Africanus Major (Scipio the Elder) which led to loss of Spanish colony.

Rome became undisputed master of the western Mediterranean and the Romans rapidly moved into the vacuum that Carthage had left in Spain.
2nd Punic war (218-201 BC)