SECOND PUNIC WAR
218 - 201 BC

What does Punic mean?

Who fought the Second Punic War?
The Second Punic War was fought between the Roman Republic and the Carthaginian Empire.

The two great generals of this war were Scipio, who fought for Rome, and Hannibal, who led the troops from Carthage.

Map of Italy and Vicinity at the
Beginning of the Second Punic War 218 BC

MAP OF ROME AND CARTHAGE AT THE BEGINNING
OF THE SECOND PUNIC WAR 218 BC

Who WON the Second Punic War?
Rome won the Second Punic War.

In detail:

Hannibal prepared to face the Romans with a big army and some 37 elephants. Instead of crossing the Mediterranean Sea, they went the other way around, through Spain, across the Pyrenees, crossing the Rhône River, the Alps, and crushing Turin on the way.

Map of Hannibal's Invasion Route 218 BC

Only one elephant survived the long trip and Roman general Publius Cornelius Scipio was ready to have it for breakfast.


But Hannibal won one battle after another.

Map of the Battles of the Second Punic War 218-201 BC

The Battles of the Second Punic War
In December 218 BC, Hannibal defeated the Romans at the Battle of the Trebia. Battle location was the left bank of the Trebia River south of Placentia. Today, it's the Trebbia River and Piacenza. Hannibal faced Scipio and Tiberius Sempronius Longus. The Romans lost half of their army.

Map of the Battle of the Trebia 218 BC

In 217 BC, Hannibal ambushed the Roman army at the Battle of Trasimene, which was more a massacre than a battle. At least 15,000 Roman troops were killed.

Map of the Battle of Lake Trasimene 217 BC

In 216 BC, at the Battle of Cannae, which is today's Monte di Canne, Hannibal sent the Romans packing once more.

Map of the Battle of Cannae 216 BC - Initial Attack

Map of the Battle of Cannae 216 BC - Final Attack

Unfortunately for Hannibal, it went slowly downhill from there. Little by little, the Romans re-captured their cities.

In 205 BC, Scipio was elected consul and decided to bring war to Hannibal's home continent Africa. He gained several victories there, the Carthaginians panicked and recalled Hannibal from Italy to defend the fatherland. Hannibal complied and the Italians could breathe a sigh of relief.

In 202 BC, the final battle of the Second Punic War followed, the Battle of Zama. Scipio and the Romans won. Hannibal was defeated, Carthage had to sue for peace, and in 201 BC, Scipio was officially re-named Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus.

Map of the Battle of Zama 202 BC

At the end of the Second Punic War, Rome was confirmed in the dominion of Italy, Sicily, Sardinia, and Corsica, dominant throughout a great part of Spain, and virtually predominant in North Africa.
 

Major battles
217 BC Battle of Trasimene
216 BC Battle of Cannae
207 BC Battle of the Metaurus
206 BC Battle of Ilipa
202 BC Battle of Zama

Check the maps:

Map of Rome's Expansion 264-180 BC
Click to enlarge

2nd Century Expansion of the Roman Republic

Go to:

First Punic War

Third Punic War

See all Punic Wars.