An Unofficial 'The Rest Is History' Reading List

569. Hannibal: Elephants Cross the Alps (Part 2)

May 28, 2025

Description

Why did Hannibal choose to cross the Alps with his elephants in 218 BC, when invading Rome? Was it a brilliant stratagem or a military disaster? What was the secret to the Roman Republic’s growing...
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Books Referenced

Hannibal and Scipio

Author: Simon Hornblower

Context:

Tom Holland quotes from this book: 'modern analysis suggests that the cause of the changed attitude towards Carthage was that the Roman officer class needed fresh outlets and theatres for aggression.'