Abstract
Hannibal’s victories from 216-202 BCE during the Second Punic War were Pyrrhic victories or losses that cost excessive Carthaginian casualties, given the relative manpower strength of the Roman army. The method employed in this study is historiography and conceptual analysis of ancient and modern historians. The result of Hannibal’s campaign was the lack of a viable strategic objective. The Roman center of gravity-control of the western Mediterranean Sea was never challenged. This war of attrition on land led to a continual weakening of the Carthaginian army and the ultimate defeat of Hannibal at Zama in 202 BCE.
Presenters
Valentine J. BelfiglioPolitical Science, Department of History and Political Science, Texas Woman's University, Texas, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
PYRRHIC VICTORY CENTER OF GRAVITY CRITICAL VULNERABILITY
