Hannibal Barca was born in 247 BC. He was the son of Hamilcar Barca, one of the most effective Carthaginian generals during the war with Rome. Hamilcar made the young Hannibal promise that he would never be a friend to Rome.

Hannibal grew up in Iberia where he learned military and administrative skills from his father and uncle. When he ascended to the top position in the province, he took swift action against Saguntum, a Roman ally; an action which started the Second Punic War. He then marched more than 1,200 miles over mountainous and often hostile terrain, arriving on the Padus plain (Po River Valley) in late October, 218 BC. After resting his troops, he confronted the Romans at Ticinus, Trebbia and Lake Trasimeno, where he won great victories. The following year he crushed a large Roman army at Cannae. Nevertheless, he couldn’t cripple the Roman alliance and Scipio’s invasion of Africa forced Hannibal to defend Carthage on her own soil. He was defeated at Zama. Carthage sued for peace. After the war, Hannibal was elected to the office of Sufette and by eliminating corruption was able to put Carthaginian finances in order. His political enemies complained to Rome and Hannibal was forced into exile.