|
Like Napoleon, Hannibal finished its work generalship heavy military defeat, but this has not overshadowed his great achievements in military affairs. Its a short confrontation with a young Roman commanders Publius Cornelia Stsipionom during the Second Punic War (218-201 BC) is very much like the history of the disciples in a battle with the replacement surpassed his teacher and, eventually, who had gained over the top.
Let′s - first ourselves and then together with Stsipionom - look for the progress of a distant war and try to unravel the secret of victory of Hannibal.
First Punic War (264-241 BC), waged by Rome against the father of the future "great Carthaginian, Gamilkar Barca, Carthage ceased to fail and led to the loss of Sicily, and with it the domination of the sea. Young Hannibal, received all-round education of the Greek model and participated in tours to Spain, his father, swore Gamilkaru ever hate Rome and devoted his life to combating it.
Policy Gamilkara Barca after his death, first to continue his brother-in-law. Rome does not impede this expansion of the Cartagena influence, because he was busy Tsizalpinskoy conquest of Gaul, but tied karfagenyan promise not to move to the northern bank of the river Ebro. After the death of son-in-law Gamilkara Carthage army proclaimed their leader Hannibal. After that, Carthage under pressure "barkidov" - the party of war and hatred to Rome - Hannibal was forced to admit his military commanders. Save your first precarious situation that could only successful military operations - and in 218 BC besieged Sagunt, Federal Rome Greek colonies.
At the demand of Rome Carthage surrender Hannibal refused. Reason for the war the two rivals for supremacy in the Mediterranean Sea has been given, and a strong fight started.
After eight Sagunta siege of the city fell and was destroyed. This has led the Roman senate to announce the breakup of peaceful relations with Carthage. Thus began the second Punic War.
Hannibal immediately seized the initiative with a professional, he is deeply dedicated army. Surprisingly, the same mercenaries who have killed many times their Carthaginian military remained disciplined and obedient Gannibalu in all circumstances. It is - almost the only one of the leaders who did not have to face the soldiers′ unrest and riots. His army of the old African personnel replenishment set iberiytsev exceeded 50 thousand, to form individual tactical units, which are under the guidance of experienced generals on the battlefield to maneuver independently.
Tactical superiority of the army of Hannibal over the Roman police had no doubt, and it is growing stronger by the fact that Hannibal had a superb cavalry. Numidiytsy, Hannibal allies formed a very good light cavalry, heavy cavalry and Carthage was able to not only hit out, but was a regular part of a team of officers, brought up another Gamilkarom. It was a disciplined guard, never flagrant for prey, and the ability to maneuver on the battlefield as directed by the commander. In fact, it was cuirassier antiquity.
With such an army, Hannibal could not be afraid of meeting in the field, even with double superior opponent. It was a bold plan to move through the Pyrenees, the Alps and the River Ron Italy split in the Roman army, and then seize and destroy Rome. When the rule of the Romans at sea it was the only way to defer military action on the territory of the enemy. Hannibal did not follow a favorite tactic of the Roman army, who ably led the war in the border with any enemies, but decided to move the war to the territory of the Roman republic, where such insolence from karfagenyan just did not expect. Hannibal venture to refuse messages from tylom. His hope rests on the ability to establish a base in front, in areas of Italy that no longer exist under the blows of Rome, which is only at the time of the fall Sagunta decided to mobilize its forces.
Due to the unpopularity of war among the allies and the poorest segments of the Roman population mobilization was incomplete, but displayed strength in excess of the number one and a half times the number of troops exposed in Rome prior to the war. Available forces were divided into three nearly equal armies - one had to hold in obedience Gallo in the valley of the Po, the other went to Spain to tie a Hannibal, but not managed to catch him, even in Gaul, at the Crossing of the Ron, and the third concentrated in Sicily ready to move the fight in the neighborhood of Carthage. It is this strategic razbroska forces and defeat the first predetermined, the best Roman legions of police.
Still, pretty soon Hannibal refused to master the enemy capital - Rome.
Here to defend Carthage 16 000 soldiers and to secure its rear base in Spain, the same soldiers under the command of his brother Gasdrubala, Hannibal led the 92 thousandth army crossed the river Ebro and subjugated to the north from the Iberian tribes.
After that Carthaginian commander left in the conquered lands of the 11 thousandth army, and he passed through the Pyrenees from the Mediterranean cape Kreuz.
Having a flexible mind and ingenuity, Hannibal to achieve the goals sought the original and unexpected for the enemy action.
 |
Soon, his intelligence - 500 numidiyskoy horsemen - Gannibalu told that the Roman army of 24 000 people blocked the way to Italy along the Mediterranean coast, located march around the camp is well fortified city Massaleet. Hannibal decided to bypass the north of the enemy, exposed to a screen of cavalry and war elephants, and to invade northern Italy through the Alpine mountains.
While Hannibal crossed the Alps, the Roman commander Publius Cornelius Stsipion - Stsipiona African father - in a hurry to Northern Italy to cut karfagenyanam way. In November, 218 BC army met Hannibal on the river Titsin (modern Ticino) to 25 thousandth the Roman army Stsipiona.
After the legendary crossing the Alps where Hannibal lost almost all his army, he left about 20 000 infantry, 6000 cavalry and a few elephants. Despite this, the battle for Titsine Romans suffered heavy losses karfagenyane destroyed almost the entire enemy cavalry. Sam Stsipion was seriously injured.
Adding troops to Gaul to 30 000, Hannibal was not yet ready for a siege of Rome, the required five times more power, given the impossibility of the sea based on the introduction and the need to simultaneously hold a vast area by supplying the army.
Meanwhile, small but well-trained and disciplined army of Carthage in December 218 BC won another victory: on the river Trebbiya, to the upper of which has departed from its infantry Stsipion, joined the army of another Roman commander, Semproniya.
40 000 Romans placed here in good stronghold camp and did not want to go to battle in the open field. But Hannibal outwitted the enemy: it enabled him to win some easy victories over their small group, while all the devastated villages around the enemy camp. Misleading attack numidiyskoy horsemen, passed the river, and enticed out of the camp for a Roman cavalry was the prologue big battle.
Despite the Board wounded Stsipiona Semprony Trebbiyu crossed the river, intending to attack Hannibal. Frozen in the cold winter water, the Romans fought bravely, but after the cavalry attack Carthage Magone their left flank came into the mess, and they lost the battle more than 30 000 people, whereas the loss of Hannibal was probably a little more than 5000 soldiers. Once again, huge losses suffered the Roman cavalry.
Semprony initially tried to hide from the Roman government, and especially from the people of the true magnitude of the disaster. He told in Rome that was a battle, but bad weather prevented the win. But gradually in Rome to learn the truth - and that karfagenyane occupied the Roman camp, and that they primknuli all the Gauls, and that the Roman troops, or rather, their remnants fled into the cities, and that the food they brought from the sea to the river Padua: it was the only path that Hannibal could not control.
All this is sown in Rome terrible panic. Day by day expecting the approximation to the forces of Hannibal and Rome did not see any hope for salvation, nor the ability to get outside help or effectively resist.
However, Rome was not a primary objective of Hannibal. Overwinter in the valley of Padua, and the Gauls karfagenyane offensive in central Italy. Here, in the spring of 217 BC Hannibal committed the first in the history of bypass maneuver.
By moving through the snow brought Apennine passes north of Genoa, he went to the south along the coast for four days and forced the hard in the valley of the River Arn (Arno) is impassable during the spring floods.
Passing Carthaginian army zastigla storm that forced the soldiers to stop, a strong wind, rain and hail, and then frost devastated the ranks of karfagenyan; killed many horses and elephants, seven of those that remained in Hannibal after Trebbii. Hannibal himself was driving the only remaining elephant to him. Suddenly, because of dampness, noxious fumes Marsh, insomnia he vospalilis eye, and because the commander did not have neither the time nor the ability to treat oneself, and later he lost one eye.
Down to the Apennines, and the Gauls karfagenyane surprised the enemy had been between the Roman armies, blocked the main road to Rome, and by the Eternal City. Hannibal moved to Platsentsii, where the battle will soon happen - first, with a clear superiority in favor of the Romans, who, drawing karfagenyan in flight, pursued them to the camp. Hannibal, however, by introducing additional forces in battle, forced the Romans to retreat. As a result, the battle with Platsentsii ended a draw. And the Romans, and were forced to retreat karfagenyane: first, as the historian Titus Livy, in Lucca, and the latter - in Liguria.
 |
The two main roads leading to central Italy and Rome, which bypassed Hannibal, were blocked by troops and consuls Gaius Flaminio Gneya Serviliya.
After Hannibal normal intelligence has determined that its core and not a very difficult task is now to ensure that provoke Flaminio in battle, in which troops Serviliya not to participate. Flaminio needed a victory and to further strengthen its position, finally to discredit and remove from power in Rome, aristocratic hostile factions. Therefore, Flaminio would go into battle, even if Hannibal altogether idle.
But Hannibal ahead. Place a Arretii (Arezzo), where the troops stood Flaminio, it is not considered suitable for the battlefield and left the camp the enemy on the left, moved to Fesulam, and then went and did not meet resistance, already in the direction of Rome, ruined and destroyed the civilian population, burning homes and farm buildings. Flaminio rushed after. Saw that the Roman troops are approaching, Hannibal, choosing to battle mountainous area near the mountain on cardboard, near Lake Trazimenskogo, ordered his soldiers to get ready to fight.
In April, 217 BC Hannibal attacked in an ambush on an army Flaminio be more careless. Shestikilometrovom trapped in a narrow passage between mountains and lake, the Romans came in the trap. About 30 000 soldiers, along with Flaminio lay head, and the rest fled into the mountains.
Then Hannibal launched a new goal - to move to the southern, polugrecheskuyu Italy. In the first Punic War Italian Greeks supported the Roma, as dominant on the seas Carthage is a dangerous competitor of their trade. But now, with the fall of sea domination of Carthage, there was no rivalry. Hannibal could count on the help of these rich, but unreliable allies of Rome. However, this force was not enough.
It is still not in a hurry to come to Rome, since realized that nezavoevannaya Italy represents a huge danger. Meanwhile Kwint Faby, who became a dictator, have chosen a tactic of evasion of large battles, izmatyvaya karfagenyan surprise attack. But Roman plebeian, reluctantly poshedshie on this difficult war, looking to delay it, as the phenomenon is devastating poor Lyuda, created an entire demagogic agitation against the conservative strategy Fabia called Kunktatorom (slow). As a result, despising such behavior impatient master horsemen Muntsy Ruf has received from the Senate the status of commander, equal dictator and decided to give the enemy battle of Heron. Only a miracle - the timely assistance Fabia - ambitious rescued Rufus from the defeat.
While fighting in Spain, where the brothers Stsipiony, one of whom was the father of the future Stsipiona African, potesnili karfagenyan and their allies, Rome, thanks to winning Fabiem time, still gathered a large army of 86 thousandth of appointing its commanders Emiliya Paul and Terentsiya Varrona .
But Hannibal has not even made an attempt to move from a threat to Rome for his attack. He went another way. The point is that while only one-third of Italy was a full territory of the Roman Republic, represented by two-thirds of the subordinates who have not yet zabyvshie his former self-sufficiency. It is to him and asked Hannibal, stressing that he was in Italy not to win, but to liberate people. Italikov Hannibal release of prisoners to their home so they can deliver news of his power and nobility, the Romans captured and sold into slavery thousands.
In late July 216 BC Hannibal rapid march held 50 of its 000 soldiers in Cannes, and took it from the Roman warehouses purveyance, defying the army of Romans, stood by the river Aufid (Ofanto).
August 2, the day on which the command of the Romans turned to Terentsiyu Varronu, Hannibal, in spite of the superiority of the enemy, was confident of victory. But ordinary Gannibalu victory was not enough - he should have been total destruction of the Roman army, and that goal he had set himself clearly.
He brought to the battlefield to the army in six columns. Two secondary schools, a total of 20 000, to form a weak Iberian and Gallic infantry, which was destined to withstand the onslaught of the main Roman. To the moral support of those warriors, Hannibal with his brother and the headquarters location for them. They are surrounded by two columns on the 6000 African tested veterans. Finally, the flank columns were purely cavalry: on the left flank - heavily cavalry - "cuirassier" Gasdrubala, on the right - light, mostly numidiyskaya horse.
 |
Romans - 55 000 goplitov, lightly 8000, 6000 riders, as well as the 10 thousandth garrison left in the camp - were constructed in a particularly deep phalanxes (manipuly - 10 people on the front, 12 in depth), generally not less than 34 line. Such a depth called the desire to develop maximum tide and not impede the onset of excessive length of the front of infantry, which stretched for quite a distance. Cavalry were sent on the flank.
The very field of battle, favorites Varronom on the northern shore of Aufida representing a wide plain, bounded in the south of the river, in the north - the thick bushes, guarding the flank of the Romans from the scope of the hostile cavalry.
When the battle began, Gasdrubal with cuirassier "overthrew the Roman horsemen, and sent a detachment to the assistance of numidiytsam who fought the battle with the Roman horsemen left wing. The main mass of cavalry Gasdrubala attacked the rear of the Roman phalanxes and managed potesnit it.
At the front of the Romans vigorously attacked Galle and Spaniards, causing them huge losses and forced Carthaginian center edged. But the presence of Hannibal Gallo deterred from rupture front and escape. In the decisive moment, under the influence of shock in the rear, the Roman phalanx stopped.
Stop for phalanxes mean its death. The air was hit by Africans, for the Romans sprinkled with darts and arrows. Only in the extreme columns surrounded by a crowd of Roman legionnaires could operate weapon - the back were able to attack with increasing pressure, but when you stop phalanges represent only a target for the flying stones, darts and arrows. Pochuyav victory Carthaginian mercenaries began to crowd around the Romans, which was increasingly difficult to operate weapons. The situation became hopeless past.
After a long massacre killed 48 000 Romans, among whom 25 were senior commanders and Consul Emilia Pavel. 6000 Romans were in captivity. Penetrate a few: from the remnants of 16 legions of Romans later able to form only 2 of the Legion. Sam Varron lost somewhere among the escapees.
These are very approximate figures, because of losses in the battle at Cannes, there are very divergent data. Titus Libya maintains that the deaths of 48 200 the Romans and their allies, while 19 500 (!) Were taken prisoner. Polybius believed that the deaths of about 70 000 (!) The Romans, but managed to escape, only 3 thousand. Evtropy argues that in the Roman army of 60 000 soldiers killed, 3, 5, thousands of plunger 350 and senators and other noble people. Orozy says 44 killed thousands, and Flor - about 60 thousand. Plutarch refers to a figure of 50 000 dead. He reported that 4 thousand Romans fell prisoner during the battle, and another 10 000 were taken later in both camps. Loss of same karfagenyan, according to Libya amounted to 8 thousand killed, and according to Polybius - 5700. A Roman consul killed Emilia Pavel, 21 military tribunes and 80 senators.
However, figures relating to losses of Rome, and a description of the progress of the battle the Roman historian not credible. Yes, and the sources from which the Roman historians have learned about the Battle of Cannes, as well as many other battles, is still open. It is clear that the survivors after the battle of legionnaires, and even the centurion and the podium were not able to give more or less complete picture of the battle. The completeness of the information may possess only survivor Consul Terentsy Varron or someone close to the senior officers. However, judging by reported the same Plutarch, Titus Libya and Appian, Roman military commanders in the middle of the battle lost control of forces and did not know exactly what is happening. Obviously, the true picture of Cannes could give Hannibal or some of his closest associates, but they are known, left no memoirs, and if left, the historical tradition they are not affected.
Unrevealed mystery remains as to why the Roman infantry, successful close of gallium, although surrounded, was not able, as the battle of Trebbii, break through the enemy front flat allegedly intentionally made Gannibalom in the center of much thinner than on the flank, and saved? Titus Livy asserts: "... After long and repeated efforts of the Romans to their dense parade, representing kosuyu line broken given the rest of the structure of the hostile phalanx, which was rare and therefore very weak. Then, when enemies struck fear edged back, the Romans began to occur to them, and moving through the crowd of fugitives who have lost their horror of the head, once entered first into the middle order and, finally, does not meet any resistance, came to support groups of Africans who retire Both flanks were in the center, has previously issued and gallium and the Spaniards.
 |
Roman historian, does not explain why the Romans had suddenly ceased to haunt already addressed in the flight of Galle and the Ibero. After all, the front ranks of their infantry, pursuing the Carthaginian center, it is still not able to participate in the coming battle with the air Africans. Also unclear why it is not able to avoid the loss of the Roman and the Federal infantry, which does not cost anything to withdraw from the heavily goplitov enemy.
Even if we take the smallest of the sources cited in the figure at Cannes Carthaginian losses - about 6,000 killed, then this number should correspond to no less than 10 000 wounded. In this case, by the end of the battle Hannibal would be in line no more than 34 000 soldiers. Each of them during the battle was to destroy at least one enemy soldier. And even if there is a real struggle to close quarters involved only a minority of the army - only the best fighters rank ...
But one knows precisely: Hannibal, having doubled the weakest infantry, for the first time in the history of martial arts decided to move the coverage of both enemy flanks - in the surrounding enemy. CANNES represent immortal example and risks: a weak center of Carthage had to bear the full brunt of the battle until the cavalry in the rear and strike at the flank.
The Battle at Cannes was the peak of the military career of Hannibal while his last major victory, which is already in ancient times was considered to be unsurpassed model of military art.
However, in the hope that Hannibal did not happen. In southern Italy, the allies of Rome remained loyal to him, which Rome stood. Oscillating slope side of Rome, and that in the first battle with zero Mark Claudius Martsell with two legions heroically managed to reflect the attacks of Hannibal.
After the complete defeat of the hostile army under Hannibal Kannami have been nice to go to Rome, but he has not availed himself of it. Or just do not venture, because by that time is not established enough of siege, which had planned to establish in the south. In addition, Hannibal perfectly aware that the population in the hundreds of thousands of people could make a new army, both by those who escaped after Cannes, and through the recruitment of all who could bear arms. The siege will inevitably be delayed by several months, if not for several years. Hannibal Army needed all this time to provide. The base supplies could only be Italy, since the arrival of significant stocks of Carthage did not have hope - in the Carthaginian Senate dominated old enemy the father of Hannibal. To create a solid base of supplies for the Apennine peninsula puniyskie required to place garrisons in several cities, and attract the support of allies from among the recently conquered the Romans, Italian tribes. Only then can it with any chance of success podstupat to the walls of Rome. In addition, Hannibal knew that after the defeat at Cannes Romans called in the army all able to bear arms, since the age of 17, forming four Legion. The state bought the 8,000 slaves, who accounted for two more Legion. Because of all these circumstances, Hannibal had not yet decided to go to Rome.
When Carthage army moved south, many tribes have moved samnitskie on the side of Hannibal. He was supported by the largest city of Capua, but in southern Italy, in the Greater Greece, Naples, Nola Kumy and remain faithful to Rome.
Hannibal entered into an alliance with the Macedonian king Philip V, and in Sicily at the side of Carthage crossed Syracuse. But that does not work: against Philip V in the Balkans has been drawn up by a coalition of Etoliyskogo Union, a number of Greek cities and pergamskogo king Attalah I. Despite the fact that makedonyane this war eventually won, directly in Italy to help Gannibalu Philip could not.
In 215 BC a paradoxical situation: taking a large number of cities and fortresses, Hannibal had not made a real victory. Rome had about 140 000 troops, including units in Spain, Gaul, Sicily, about 80 000 of them were concentrated against the forty or fifty thousand soldiers of Hannibal.
Following a new tactic, the Senate declared, the Romans to avoid open confrontation. Martsell managed to once again reflect the onset of the troops of Hannibal in the second battle of zero.
The following year, having to Martsella solves nothing, the third battle at zero, Hannibal went to Apulia, to capture the port city Tarent and almost the entire year dedicated to operations against Tarenta, while his brother, Gannon was defeated at Benevento from Tiberius Grakha. All infantry Gannon was destroyed, but he escaped with a small group of cavalry. Later, he can still defeat Grakha in gross.
Meanwhile, the Syracuse, declared themselves supporters of Carthage, fought with troops Martsella sent to Sicily. After exhausting siege Martsellu still be able to conquer Syracuse.
There were still battles Gasdrubala in Spain against the two brothers Stsipionov, in which both were killed, followed by Spain to the south of the Ebro again became a possession of Carthage.
A city of Capua, who has joined karfagenyanam and in which he sent Gannon, Hannibal was never able to help. The raid ended in failure Gannon - 6000 karfagenyan fallen in battle, but could not lift the siege. In the early winter of 211 BC 60 thousandth Roman army under the command of Fulvio and Klavdiya been simultaneously attacked a garrison town and the main forces of Hannibal. The operation also had no success - due promptly to save the besieged city was unable to. Then, Hannibal decided to divert the enemy, and announced a campaign to Rome, as elicited from the Romans entered history in the cry of horror: "Hannibal at the gates!" Having a deceitful maneuver, and returning to Capua, Hannibal to his grief caught his surrender.
The insistence of Hannibal request to send reinforcements from Carthage and went unanswered. Now he can count only on themselves, that each fighting with the Romans inexorably diminishing.
Meanwhile, the political and military history of the Roman arena, a new figure - Stsipion Publius Cornelius, son of one of those Stsipionov that died in Spain. Roman Senate in 210 BC Then twenty-boy to take command of troops in Spain, where Stsipion rather quickly restored Roman power north of the Ebro. Then, in 209 BC marched with the army of 27 500 people made it to New Carthage (Cartagena), and surprise attack quickly took the city, blockaded from the sea the Roman fleet.
Grasping, possessing exceptional abilities of young people was able to comprehend the mystery of tactical superiority karfagenyan and now sought to dismember the Roman order of battle, to make certain parts of his ability to maneuver. He has combined manipuly in the cohort - a battalion capable of independent maneuver; created a second line of military order, and his transition from the phalanges to the construction of several lines represented the tactical evolution towards the establishment of military order, with the independent general reserve. But all this was possible only with the loss of many old legion qualities Republican militia.
Previously, remaining for decades in order, the Roman policeman reborn in a professional soldier who lost their civic sense, to worship before the law, sought to extraction. Even in his home began to receive complaints from the wrong he civilian population. And as the authority of law tusknel, a Roman soldier, another emerging authority - the authority of its leader. In such circumstances, the Roman Senate had to either stay with the old forms of education and command the armed forces, and in this case, to abandon the final victory over Carthage and the conquest of the world, or to sacrifice the idea of the victory of constitutional guarantees and to organize an armed force, solely guided by the requirements of military case.
And the Senate stood up to the second path. They realized that is impossible to oppose Gannibalu consuls - Children in generalship. First, Rome began to run for office as consuls of the same well-known caution and knowledge of military officers, not paying attention to the limited time of their constitution of government. Then Rome stepped forward and gave the military commanders, are too young to be elected consul, consular law. When Stsipion with the Roman army landed in Africa, the consular authority was approved for him not for a year, and indefinitely - while it would require the military situation. It is this policy allowed Rome defeated Carthage, and then conquer Macedonia and Syria, and thus create the skeleton of a world state. But it will be later.
In the meantime, the Romans under the leadership of Fabia Kunktatora became consul for the fifth time (!), Due to betrayal of the Italian allies of Hannibal, were Tarent.
 |
Meanwhile Stsipion in Spain after various maneuvers and several skirmishes broke Gasdrubala in the Battle of Bekule, although not karfagenyanam caused greater damage. A very Gasdrubal off on orders of Hannibal in Gaul, leaving Spain Stsipionu.
On the troop movements Gasdrubala knew the Roman consul Claudius Nero. In the year 207 the Romans staged an ambush the enemy at the river Metavr and broke it. Gasdrubal, realizing that all is lost, intentionally broke into the Roman cohort, to die.
As proof of his victory the Romans sent Gannibalu otrublennuyu head brother. However, he did not think to leave Italy and continuing with great determination to fight. Meanwhile, the tactics of Rome, aimed at prolonging the war and the depletion of the Carthage army on Italian soil, was to yield results. Isolation from rear bases supplied troops of Hannibal in a very awkward position.
The latest attempt to help the army of Hannibal took his brother Magone. In 205 BC He crossed from Spain to the Balearic Islands and then - on the Ligurian coast of Italy with 12 thousand soldiers and 2 thousand horsemen. However, it blocked the Romans, and, despite the support liguriytsev and gallium, help Gannibalu Magone could not.
Meanwhile Stsipion with the army, brought up in the spirit of linear tactics, who had gained success in the Iberian peninsula, even increase employment and combat training maneuvers, and landed its troops in the year 205 on the African coast, near Carthage. Besiege Carthage Stsipion was not able to, but he was able to intervene in the affairs of numidiyskie taken prisoner Sheikh, who was the backbone of the Cartagena influence, and establish superiority of his opponent Massinisse, which suddenly began to help Rome.
In autumn 203 BC Hannibal with the remnants of his army was urgently recalled from Italy to the protection of Carthage. In Africa, Hannibal arrived with infantry, but almost without cavalry. Returning home after a 16-year absence, he started rebuilding his army, which took up to nine months. The Army was formed in order to avoid interference of civil authority, not in Carthage, a small seaside town Hadrumetume.
Finally the summer of 202 BC Hannibal has started fighting against the Romans. The latter does not yet have at their disposal a single port, and based on the peninsula Utika. Massinissa with promised 10 thousand soldiers have not yet joined the army Stsipiona, with operations in the field of about 25 000 soldiers.
The Roman army was in the river valley Bagradas when Stsipion been notified that Hannibal from the 35 thousandth army moves just between him and the area to the west, where expected numidiytsy. Any other army on the ground Stsipiona went on Utika Peninsula, where the base was strengthened, then probably would be blocked and lost Gannibalom would impact on numidiytsev. But Stsipion went on the risk: he threw his communications with the sea, the rapid flank march to the west is going to be reunited with Massinissoy and received his support in the 6000 riders and 4000 infantry, moved forward Gannibalu. A collision occurred on 19 October 202 BC with Naragare, but it is known in history as the battle with the comments.
This battle of two 35 thousandth army is a very interesting example of the first-ever application of the linear tactics of the Romans.
Hannibal had not yet managed to create a cavalry, and here the Romans surpassed it three. Infantrymen were more at Hannibal. In addition, Hannibal had several dozen elephants.
Hannibal distributed uniformly on its cavalry flank and gave her an indication of - not entering into a hard fight, flee to the Roman cavalry and numidiyskoy to take away the enemy in time of persecution away from the battle field. Elephants mask array of infantry, and gave Gannibalu gains over time - do not engage in serious combat infantrymen until not find success there with a trick of the hostile cavalry.
Infantry Carthaginian Strategy is in two lines: First - Carthage police, the second - experienced veterans who have returned from Italy, together with the Gannibalom. If it had not been able to deflect Roman cavalry from the field of battle, the two lines under the guise of elephants could retreat to a fortified camp, not pulling in a decisive battle.
At first, cunning Hannibal failed. The Roman cavalry, with the Punic, disappeared from the field of battle. Then by Carthaginian infantry. Brutal hand-to-hand fight began the first line and second line, divided into two parts, left flanks of the first for a strong double-coverage of Roman infantry.
 |
There was a fact: the teacher - Hannibal - found a decent student in Stsipione.
Moreover, the Romans learned to live with the elephants fight the enemy - they have them in flight, and they made a great confusion in the ranks of the African infantry.
As a result, Hannibal lost. Army of Carthage lost 10 000 people, while the winners - one and a half thousand. From that triumphant moment for the Roman commander was nicknamed Stsipion African.
A war that just keep on the invincibility of Hannibal, with his defeat was completed in the shortest possible time. The main consequence of the battle of the loss of Carthage was the replacement of faith in the possibility of successful struggle with Rome, in an independent future.
In the year 201 the Roman republic and Carthage concluded an extremely hard for the defeated world, although Hannibal insisted on continuing the war. The second Punic war is a complete military defeat of Carthage: he gave Rome its entire fleet and binding for 50 years to pay the winner each year 10 000 evbeyskih talents. All Carthaginian possession outside Africa departed the Roman republic. African Numidiya declared independent of Carthage.
Rome for 600 years was complete domination in the Mediterranean.
With regard to Hannibal, it is up to 196 BC managed Carthage, constantly wishing to resume an armed confrontation with his hated Rome. Eventually, the Romans suspected of preparing a new war and losing the trust of their fellow citizens, the elderly commander was forced to flee from their native Carthage, protection from enemies which he gave his entire life. Now the hatred of Rome had it everywhere.
First, Hannibal took refuge in the Syrian king of Antioch III, became his adviser. After the defeat of the Syrian ruler to another war with Rome, Hannibal in 188 BC took refuge in Armenia, and then in Vifinii. There, in 183 BC commander, fearing to be given to Rome, took poison. According to Roman sources, his last words were: "We have to save Roman from the constant anxiety: it is they do not want too long to wait for the death of one old man."
Interestingly, about the same time, died, and the winner of "the great Carthaginian" Stsipion Africa. It happened in Southern Italy, where he had left in voluntary exile after numerous intrigues, political attacks, insults, and trial in Rome on a charge - it seems wrong - in the embezzlement.
Hannibal went into the military history as one of the greatest military leaders of the Ancient World. Generalship talent combined with the gift of a wise statesman, politician and diplomat. No other soldier has never met any of as many disasters, nor with such appalling number superiority on the side of the enemy, as Hannibal. He shared with his soldiers all the hardships and dangers of war. Even the Roman chronicles recognize that Hannibal never ordered others to do something that could not or did not want to do myself. "
. American actress. Filmed in the movies: "Early fame" (Oscar), "Little Women," "The Philadelphia Story", "Woman of the Year", "Guess who comes to dinner?" (Bonus " Oscar ")," Lion in Winter "(Oscar)," On Golden pond "(Oscar) and other theatrical roles: Antiopa (voitelnitsy husband), Tracy Lord (" The Philadelphia Story "), etc. |
 Italian film actress. Filmed in the movies: "Gold of Naples", "Chochara" (Oscar), "Boccaccio 70", "Затворники Altony," "Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow", "Marriage in Italian" ;, "Sunflowers," "Pret-a-porter", etc. |
 French actor. Appeared in films: "Razin," "Big Walk", "Little bather," gendarme of the Saint-Tropez "," Fantomas "," man-band ", etc. |
 Actor of Belgian origin. Real name - Van Varenberg. He made his debut in the film "Street of the barbarians" (1983). Starred in the films "Bloodsport" (1988), "Black Eagle" (1988), "Cyborg" (1989), "Lionheart" (1990), "Double Impact" (1991), "Universal Soldiers "(1992)," Nowhere to Run "(1993)," Hard Target "(1993)," Timecop "(1994)," Street Fighter "(1994) and others in the films" Lionheart " and "Double Impact" was co-author of the script. |
 French actress. Filmed in the movies: "And God created woman", "Babetta goes to war," "Rest Soldier", "Truth," "Parisian," Despite, " Shalako, " Boulevard of Roma " and others |
 Italian actor. Appeared in the movies: "White Nights", "Sweet Life", "8 1 / 2", "Divorce in Italian", "City of Women," "Ginger and Fred," "Interview" "black eyes", etc. He was awarded the Prize for Creativity, Felix (1988). |
 French actor and film. Roles in Theater: Michelle ( "terrible parent"), Nero ( "Britannica"), Lear (King Lear), and others appeared in films: "Eternal return", "Beauty and the Beast," " , Orpheus "," Captain Frakass, " The Count of Monte Cristo, " Iron Mask "," hunchback "," Fantomas ", etc. |
 German actress. Filmed in the movies: the trilogy "Sissi", "Christine," "Boccaccio 70", "Process", "Ludwig", "Train", "The main thing - love," "old gun" "Cesar and Rosalie," "Woman in the Window," "Simple Story", "Live coverage of the death, etc. |
 Swedish writer. Author of novels for children, "Pippi Longstocking - Long Stocking" (1945-1952), "The Kid and Carlson, who lives on the Roof" (1955-1968), "Rasmus-bum" (1956), "The Brothers Lionheart" (1979), "Ronia, the Robber′s Daughter" (1981), etc. |
 American actor. Appeared in films: "From now and for ever", "tattooed rose," "Sweet smell of success", "Elmer Gentri, the Nuremberg process," "Amateur birds from Alkatrasa", "Leopard," " ; Train "," Professionals "," Family Portrait in the interior, " Twentieth Century "," Atlantic City "," skin ", etc. |
 English actor. Acted in films: "The Lion in Winter," "Hamlet," "Elephant Man", "Charing Cross Road, 84", "Silence of the Lambs," "Kingdom of Shadows," "Nixon", " , Amistad, " Remains of the Day, " Hannibal ", etc. |
 American actor. Acted in films: A Streetcar Named Desire, " Viva Zapata! "," Savage, " In Port "(Oscar)," Pursuit, " Candy, " Queimado, " The Godfather "(Oscar)," Last Tango in Paris "," Superman, " Apocalypse Now "," Don Juan de Marco ", etc. |
 American actress. Filmed in the movies: "Cat on a hot roof, Baterfild, 8" (Oscar), "Cleopatra", "Who is Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" (Oscar), " The Taming of the Shrew ", etc. |
 In July 1859 the Swiss physician A. Dunant was present at the battlefield in the village of Solferino in Lombardy. He was a kind and sentimental, and therefore suffering injuries caused in him a burning desire to help the suffering. But as A. Dunant was still a practical man, he decided to found a world organization to provide medical care to the wounded and the victims of earthquakes, floods and other natural disasters. |
 French actor. Appeared in films: "Bandera", "The glorious company," "Pepe Le Moko," "Grand Illusion", "handsome", "Naberezhnaya fogs," "Man-beast", "Tugs" "Megre arranges Silko," "The excluded," "Heroin," "Cat", etc. |
CMS "SOT" v.1.11.15 |