Introduction
Students have read that the Second Punic War was an important victory for Roman forces in that Carthage was never again a threat to Rome. In this exercise, students will examine the battles of the Second Punic War and investigate the military tactics of the Carthaginian general, Hannibal Barca.

Lesson Description
Students will use information from The Second Punic War Web site to examine the battles of the Second Punic War. They will read about Hannibal's military tactics and movements from 218 B.C. to his defeat in 202 B.C. Students will then answer four questions and apply this information by constructing a time line of the battles of the Second Punic War.

Instruction Objectives

1. Students will be able to identify the characteristics of the Second Punic War, including the battles, the people, and the statistics.
2. Students will be able to use this knowledge to construct a time line of the battles of the Second Punic War.

Student Web Activity Answers

1. Hannibal planned to march across the Pyrenees and the Alps in winter with his 40,000 soldiers and 40 elephants. He lost over half of his men and most of his elephants due to the cold climate.
2. Hannibal recruited the Gauls to reinforce his troops.
3. Hannibal had 40,000 infantry and 10,000 cavalry. The Romans had 80,000 infantry and 7,000 cavalry. Though greatly outnumbered, Hannibal's troops were able to encircle the Romans and defeat them. In the end, 60,000 Romans were dead, compared to 6000 Carthaginians.
4. The cavalry was considerably weaker than it had been before the Battle of Zama, and because of this Hannibal could not use his usual military tactics in this battle.
5. Students' time lines will vary.

Go To Student Web Activity