HannibalArticle Free Pass Hannibal, (born 247 bce, North
Africa—died c. 183–181 bce, Libyssa, Bithynia [near Gebze,
Turkey]), Carthaginian general, one of the great military
leaders of antiquity, who commanded the Carthaginian forces
against Rome in the Second Punic War (218–201 bce). Hannibal was
the son of the great Carthaginian general Hamilcar Barca.
According to Polybius and Livy, the main Latin sources for his
life, Hannibal was taken to Spain by his father and at an early
age was made to swear eternal hostility to Rome. From the death
of his father in 229/228 until his own death about 183,
Hannibal’s life was one of constant struggle against the Roman
Republic. Hannibal’s earliest commands were given to him in the
Carthaginian province of Spain by Hasdrubal, son-in-law and
successor of Hamilcar. It is clear that Hannibal emerged as a
successful officer, for, on the assassination of Hasdrubal in
221, the army proclaimed him, at age 26, its commander in chief,
and the Carthaginian government quickly rati