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Hannibal (Makers of History Series)

by Jacob Abbott

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With a foreword by Ben House.

"Later in life, several years after his attempt at subduing Rome, it is believed that Hannibal was asked by Scipio Africanus, the Roman general who defeated him at Carthage, who Hannibal thought was the best military general of all time. Hannibal is reported to have said Alexander the Great was first, another Greek general was second, and that Hannibal was third. But Hannibal qualified this response by asserting that had he beat Scipio Africanus, then Hannibal would have been the best military general ever.

Abbott presents the life of Hannibal in graphic detail. His account is stirring, engaging and gripping. This is an excellent supplement to a history course as well as delightful reading. While motivated by selfish designs, Hannibal is still an outstanding example of how assiduity can overcome great odds."
-– Patch Blakey, executive director, Association of Classical & Christian Schools -- (click on "additional information" - below - to read the full review by Patch Blakey)

Hannibal is one of the volumes in the Makers of History Series,, a 19th century biography series authored by two brothers — Jacob and John S.C. Abbott. These biographies have been edited and brought up-to-date for readers twelve and up. Not only are these editions given vintage style paperback covers, but they also include introductions that explain where these men and women fit into the timeline of history.

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Complete Review by Patch Blakey

Later in life, several years after his attempt at subduing Rome, it is believed that Hannibal was asked by Scipio Africanus, the Roman general who defeated him at Carthage, who Hannibal thought was the best military general of all time. Hannibal is reported to have said Alexander the Great was first, another Greek general was second, and that Hannibal was third. But Hannibal qualified this response by asserting that had he beat Scipio Africanus, then Hannibal would have been the best military general ever.

Hannibal was indeed a phenomenal military leader. He is most noted for his heroic and almost unbelievable effort in successfully moving his army across the Alps in order to attack the northern Roman provinces of Italy in his push to capture Rome. This incredible feat was not without severe losses. Hannibal lost most of his elephants and tens of thousands of his troops, not just to inclement conditions, but also because of fierce opposition from the alpine inhabitants as well as the treacherous topography.

What motivated Hannibal to pursue such a herculean venture? Hannibal hated Rome and all things Roman. Hannibal’s father, Hamilcar Barca, the leading general in the First Punic War, hated Rome and taught his son to share in his convictions. To Hannibal, the world was not big enough for both Carthage and Rome to co-exist together. Hannibal was fixated on seeing Rome conquered.

In the book of Daniel, there are four major empires that were to exist before the advent of Jesus Christ, the ultimate being Rome. Carthage was not numbered among these notable empires of which Daniel prophesied. Carthage was providentially doomed from world conquest. However, one may even question the necessity for Carthage to have gone to war with Rome in the first place.

Carthage was founded by the Phoenicians who branched out from the famous city of Tyre. They were worshippers of Moloch. Carthage is described by Abbot as being a very corrupt city-state. Human sacrifices were not unheard of. There were governmental power struggles and political intrigue. At the same time, Carthage was a highly successful and prosperous trading port, and had extensive importing and exporting trade throughout the Mediterranean littoral.

Hannibal was the cause of the Second Punic War with Rome. Punic is the Latin word for Phoenician. There were three such wars between Carthage and Rome, and Carthage ultimately lost them all. After the Third Punic War, Carthage was razed by the Romans with the intent that there should never be a fourth Punic War. What remains of Carthage today may be found in the city of Tunis, the capital of modern day Tunisia.

Hannibal was a great military leader. He knew how to motivate his men to accomplish incredible achievements, and he cleverly led his forces through numerous conquests of the Roman military might. He lived frugally, enduring the same conditions as his troops. He was bigger, stronger and more capable than most of the men who followed him. He relied heavily on deception and subterfuge in his battle tactics to conquer his enemies. He was able to defeat the Romans until the Romans finally found a general who could “out-Hannibal” Hannibal.

Despite all of his military glory, the demise of Carthage rests heavily on the shoulders of Hannibal for so effectively earning the sustained antipathy of the Romans during his 15 years of conquest and occupation in Italy. What started off as a life of personal glory and achievement ended tragically in Hannibal poisoning himself at the age of 69 to escape capture and extradition to Rome.

Abbott presents the life of Hannibal in graphic detail. His account is stirring, engaging and gripping. This is an excellent supplement to a history course as well as delightful reading. While motivated by selfish designs, Hannibal is still an outstanding example of how assiduity can overcome great odds.

View all books by Jacob Abbott