300 years before the birth of Christ
The ancient empire of Carthage ruled the Mediterranean
Until Cartage was challenged and brutally defeated in a war
by Rome
This film is based on actual events
events that took place in the 3rd century BC
recorded by historians of the time
verified by scholars today...
Put your hands in the blood.
I swear ......
... that for as long as I live ...
... I will be an enemy of Rome
It was only a matter of time before the rivalry between Carthage and Rome
would once again lead to war.
A war, that would seal a child's destiny as one of history's greatest leaders
Hannibal.
I was born for to exact vengeance, raised to achieve the impossible.
I will forever be known as the greatest enemy of Rome.
This is the story of a general who pushed his army to the limits of human endurance.
Keep going!
The story of a mind so brilliant that it brought Rome to the brink of destruction.
Above all, it's the story -
- Of how history can turn on a single decision.
A decision that would haunt Hannibal's life, seal his fate -
- And determine who would rule the western world for the next 600 years.
War is all I have ever known.
War between Carthage and Rome.
My father had fought Rome 40 years earlier... and then we were defeated.
Humiliated, stripped of our honor and our lands.
But under my father's command, we rose again
expanded our territories from northern Africa into Spain.
Yet there could never be two masters of the Mediterranean
Gaius Terentius Varro Roman Envoy to Spain 219 BC
Either Rome or Carthage was destined for destruction --
- And I swore upon my father's memory, --
- It would NOT be Carthage.
Hannibal Barca.
Gaius Terentius Varro. Special Ambassador to the Roman Senate.
My brothers, Mago and Hasdrubal.
I think you know why I'm here.
It's come to our attention that you have made military threats against the city of Saguntum... - I have
Saguntum is an ally of Rome... She has our full protection
Saguntum is a city in Spain, NOT Italy.
And yet she continues to attack Spanish allies of Carthage.
Tell me, Gaius Terentius Varro:
If this was a city on Roman soil... What would you do?
I trust that you understand the rules of engagement.
Make war on Saguntum, and you make war on Rome.
Saguntum, Southern Spain. 219 BC.
For Carthage!
My attack on Saguntum was brutal. To provoke Rome to fight me.
It worked.
Council of Elders Carthage, North Africa. Autumn, 219 BC.
Rome will not tolerate --
- This unprovoked attack, on one of our allies.
We demand that you surrender this General, responsible --
- Hannibal Barca, to Roman authority
- And to face Roman justice
On what authority do you come here to Carthage and threaten us Fabius?
Saguntum was rightly punished for attacking our allies.
This madness will not end well. It's Barca. He is pushing them to war.
Hanno the Great. Political enemy of Hannibal
Here within the folds of my toga --
- Hang peace or war.
Which shall you choose Carthage?
Peace or war?
You say, Fabius. Let Rome decide.
WAR!
Burn it all down
The war I was born to fight had begun.
It would be a fight for the survival of our world.
New Carthage, Spain. 218 BC.
In Spain Hannibal built the army that would fight his war.
Drawn from all over Spain and Africa, it was an army of different colors and creeds -
but united by one common purpose -
- To restore honor and power to Carthage.
8000 cavalry, 40,000 infantry, slingers and lancers.
- I want the men to be prepared to move without warning... - They are ready, my brother.
Mago, Youngest brother of Hannibal Infantry commander
- Your Numidian cavalry, Maherbal . - How fast are they?
- As fast as the wind General...
- Don't joke with me Maherbal
- They are faster than the Romans, sir.
Maharbal. Cavalry Commander and Military Advisor.
- Elephants? - 37. Their condition? - They are healthy animals.
Get these children out of here We are going to war.
The Romans are sending two armies One down to Sicily, from where they hope to attack Carthage.
The other up into southern France. Where they will try to attack us here in Spain.
Except, we will not be here.
We have always talked about taking the war to the Romans. Fighting them on their own soil.
Now that time has come
We can't attack by ship, because Rome controls the sea.
Instead, we will invade by land, We take the army up through Spain and France, --
- Across the Rhone and then east into Italy.
We know the coastal roads are well defended, so to avoid that--
- We are going over the Alps.
- 50,000 men across the mountains? - It is the shortest, most direct route.
Never in their wildest dreams, would the Romans think us capable of such audacity.
Gisco has just come back from the Alps. He has found us guides, a way through - he thinks we can do it.
And as we all know, he is the most cautious amongst us.
Alexander took 50,000 men from Greece and conquered the world.
Not bad for a Greek.... But we can do better
Now go, and brief your men
They don't like it
- They don't need to -. - I don't like it -
Hasdrubal, Brother of Hannibal Commander of the Spanish Provinces.
Well fortunately for you my brother I can't take everyone.
I need someone to stay here and defend Spain, make sure our Spanish territories are safe
- Then stay and defend them. - You heard my intention.
Our father fought for 8 years to secure Spain for Carthage. And you're going to abandon it, to take such a risk.
- Of such things great victories are made. - And great defeats.
We must show Rome that we will not be kicked or humiliated again
And I will do anything to return honor and respect back to Carthage.
And I can only do that, if I know that Spain is in safe hands.
My brother ...
I promise you, that one year from now, we will stand together again on the banks of the Tiber -
- In Rome. Victorious
50,000 lives are in your hands.
And who will lead them unstead of me... You?
They would not follow me. But they would follow you, brother.
They would follow you until their deaths.
I was asking my people for nothing less than total sacrifice.
To leave behind what was most precious to them --
- Knowing they might never return.
There could be no exceptions.
Imilce, Wife of Hannibal. Spanish Princess.
Ready?
Well, as you can see, we are making progress.
Good,
- You will be safe in Carthage, Imilce. - Safe?
Your Spanish wife kept hostage in Carthage, to ensure that my people don't desert to Rome.
It is the normal condition of war.
Don't pretend it is for my safety.
We fought hard for Spain Imilce We must ensure her safety.
Fought? You even married for Spain.
Soon this will be over ...
... I will have my revenge on Rome.
And we will be together again.
Hannibal's army leaves Southern Spain. Spring 218 BC
In the first war with Rome Carthage had fought a defensive campaign --
- And lost.
The Romans expected the second war to follow the same course.
But doing what Rome least expected was to become Hannibal.'s trademark
Taking the war to Rome meant marching 90,000 foot soldiers, --
- 12,000 cavalry and 37 elephants --
- Across 2400 kilometers. Before winter.
We will be at the Rhone before harvest, then we can reprovision before we cross the Alps.
Providing the harvest isn't late... Or we are.
- I would not want to be in those mountains when the snows come. - We have time, Maharbal.
South of the River Ebro, Hannibal's army traveled through lands owned by tribes loyal to Carthage ..
But once north of the river they entered hostile territory.
Our guides I assume?
Our safe passage depended on the good will of savage tribesmen, --
- Loyal to neither Carthage nor Rome --
- Only to they themselves.
He says he likes what we have given him.
He says the routes are difficult and without a guide, we will be lost.
He even offered to guide us through himself.
Tell him that we are grateful to his people and that we thank him for his help.
It was a risk we had no choice but to take
Few of my men had travelled so far north before.
They were nervous, unsettled
With good reason
Hannibal, what are we going to do about the deserters? We are leaking men
When we catch one. Have the horses pull them apart as an example.
Spare the horses Maharbal, our numbers will swell when the northern tribes join us.
Take Cover!
Ambush!
- That bastard has led us into a trap! Take cover!
Maharbal ...
Thieving, treacherous scum, that's what you get for trusting savages.
- Now how are we going to get through? - The prisoners will show us the way.
If they don't, kill them.
The Rhone Valley Southern France Autumn 218 BC
- Our journey had barely begun, Yet aleady the forces of nature were dividing the weak from the strong.
I knew that only the strong would be useful to me... in Italy.
General we have. to face facts It took too long to get here.
- We misjudged - We?
If we winter here, the largest army ever assembled will be waiting for us, on the other side.
We are crossing the mountains!
- The Roman army have landed at Marseille. - That's only three days march from here.
- We can attack them there. - We will arrack the Romans on Roman soil
Winter or summer, We are going over the Alps --
- To finish this
The Roman army had stopped at Marseille to re-supply for their voyage to Spain.
They had no idea Hannibal's army was so close.
- This can't be. - It's true General.
He's already crossed The Pyrenees and is almost at the Rhone.
Consul Publius Scipio Commander of two Roman Legions.
- We planned to fight him in Spain... - Perhaps he is trying to protect Spain by fighting us in France instead.
Publius Scipio was a typical Roman general dependable, predictable.
He simply wanted to hunt me down and finish me... If he could find me.
Publius Scipio II. Son of the Consul.
OR is his target Rome?
If his target is Rome --
- Then he will need to stay close to the sea to get there.
No man would march an army inland
The terrain is too difficult.
The mountains and those damn Gauls
Tomorrow we march, to intercept them.
Hannibal's deserted camp The Rhone Valley Autumn 218 BC.
- What do you mean, they are gone? - He says they left three days ago.
Which way did they go?
They went East sir, towards the mountains.
Do you really think he can cross the Alps?
If he succeeds, he will find us waiting for him, on the other side.
I am returning to Italy to raise a new army.
We will crush him, even as his homeland lies in ruins.
We underestimate this barbarian no more.
Publius Scipio had been out-maneuvered and out-witted by his rival.
It was a lesson that the family of Scipio, --
- Particularly the son, would never forget.
Just one thing stood between us and Roman soil.
200 km of snow, ice and rock.
Hannibal entered the foothills of the Alps, at the onset of winter.
His men were used to the mild climates of Spain and North Africa --
- But were ill-prepared to deal with the conditions they would face here.
As the army moved higher, to altitudes of up to 2400 meters, --
- There was no food, no shelter, no respite.
To make it through, my men had to march without rest.
If we stopped at all, we would die.
Exposure and hunger ate through us.
Come on! Keep moving.
That's it!
Each day over a thousand lives were lost.
Yet I was certain of our course.
Keep moving!
Don't stop here or you're dead!
Keep moving!
As Hannibal reached the summit, --
- He found that the route down was blocked by a landslide.
- Why are we stopping? - The way is blocked.
Bring up firewood and the wine.
Come along, come along!
The wine laid on it's side in the snow and keep it cold.
It just needs time.
50,000 men marched into those mountains.
Little more than half that marched out the other side.
To keep Roman feet from Carthaginian soil --
- It was a sacrifice I was prepared to accept.
The march from New Carthage had taken seven months
A total of 70,000 men had died or deserted along the way.
A far greater challenge now lay ahead.
We are through.
Hannibal had come here to fight. but his weakened and demoralized forces --
- Had not yet come face to face, with their real enemy
They made it through, but now they are all sick.
It's the cold General, they are not used to it.
- Can anything be done? - Rest perhaps.
But even then I can't be sure when they will be ready for battle.
- This is no army. - They just need food and rest.
- We need more men. - We will find more men, among the local tribes.
- All savages. - Warriors Marhabal, like us.
Who hate Rome, like us.
I was fighting not just the Romans.
Half of their army was drawn from alliances across Italy.
To defeat Rome, I had to test the strength of those alliances
What sre you asking me for?
Food, arms, men.
- To fight the Romans? - To defeat the Romans.
Your men, are half dead. They're starving, exhausted.
- You speak of madness. - No.
Freedom.
When your army goes, what then? We have stood up to Rome before.
You know what the Romans do to those that fight them?
They do not leave a living soul. The bodies of our people were mixed with the corpses of our dogs.
If you join us, there will be no more threat from Rome I swear it.
Cowards! What good are cowards to us?
They are not cowards. They fought the Romans.
So what do we do?
We turn back, across the mountains.
Or we stay and fight.
We don't have enough men.
No battle is won by numbers alone.
What counts is the desire to survive.
To prove that to my men, I set the prisoners a challenge. A fight to the death.
The prize: Their freedom.
I wanted to show my army, that they too faced either death --
- Or a fight for an even greater glory.
This man has won his freedom by fighting for his life.
I gave him no choice.
Just as our gods give us no choice but to fight for our lives.
In the days to come, you will face the Roman Army -
His numbers are greater than ours
He has more food in his belly and he is better supplied.
But the Roman soldier fights because he is ordered to
We fight to reclaim what is ours.
The Romans think we are barbarians, savages.
Perhaps some of us are.
But when we engage on the field of battle, --
- It will be in the sure and certain knowledge, that bravery will bring us victory.
Cowardice and hesitation will bring us nothing but defeat and certain death.
We fight for life! We fight for Carthage!
Advance Guard of Publius Scipios, Northern Italy, November 218 BC
But as Hannibal rallied his forces, the army of Publius Scipios marched north to confront him.
The sooner we know position and his numbers --
- The sooner we can to punish this barbarian for setting foot on Roman soil.
- How many? - 4 or 5.000 light infantry and cavalry.
Tell your men to keep out of sight behind that hill.
Here it begins.
I knew the Romans would think us an easy target. Still weak from the long march.
That is exactly what I wanted them to think
A gift from Rome.
- So the cavalry didn'tt disappoint General? - They fought bravely - They were well led.
They were.
Too bad my Roman counterpart didn't seem in the mood for a fight.
- You very nearly kiled him - Nearly? Are you losing your edge, Marhabal?
He was rescued by his son.
That's two generations to escape your blade.
Who is this family, that fate smiles so kindly upon?
Their name is Scipio, one of Rome's most noble families.
I bet they still bleed the same color as their foot soldiers.
The father was wounded. Perhaps next time it might be the son's turn.
Then we can put a stop to these noble Scipio's, and their services to Rome.
Alright General of Carthage, we will join you.
You are welcome.
What you witnessed today, is only the beginning, my friend.
Hannibal's first triumph on Roman soil --
- Sealed his alliance with the tribes of Northern Italy
In response, Rome recalled it's second army from Sicily --
- To reinforce the defences of Publius Scipio.
Consul Sempronius Longus Marches North November 218 BC
- Longus. - Publius.
Thank you.
I understand your father owes his life to your bravery
And I'm glad to see that my fellow Consul looking in better.health
- The doctors assure me I will make a full recover. - Excellent
It is my view, we should strike at Hannibal without any further delay.
And not allow him to enjoy his lucky victory.
If lucky it was, Longus.
They just came out of nowhere. They nearly trampled us down before we could even draw our swords.
I am surprised to hear you speak like this of the barbarian
We can learn a lot in a day Sempronius.
Before any further confrontations, I suggest we rest our armies for winter.
Every hour this Carthaginian spends on Roman soil is an insult.
We need action, swift action before he finds his footing.
Tomorrow, I march for Trebia.
As Consuls, Publius and Longus shared the highest political position in Rome.
Every term of office lasted just one year.
With time running out, Longus was desperate to fight.
At Trebia, I offered battle before his army was prepared and he took the bait.
25,000 of their finest soldiers were slaughtered.
At Trasimene, they threw the might of the Roman army against me.
Undercover of mist, we forced them into a lake and massacred 15,000 of them
Some even drowned themselves rather than face our sword.
Before I was just a name, known only to a few.
A shadow, came out of the mountains.
Now, the shadow I cast, reached across the heart of Italy.
One more decisive victory, --
- And this war would be over.
Hannibal's army was now within striking distance of Rome.
For the first time in 50 years, a military dictator was appointed.
The man they chose was Fabius Maximus.
May I remind you all, that Hannibal's army is 150 km from Rome.
Well then we must fight them, fight them until we destroy them.
Or until we are destroyed
Are you questioning sir, the honor and the courage of the people of Rome?
These are the facts, Trebia cost us 20,000 lives.
We lost a Consul and 15,000 soldiers at Trasimene
We are losing.
And if we continue along the path of direct confrontation, Rome will be destroyed.
Now is the time to be ruthless.
And not just with our enemy, but with ourselves.
To face our failures to reconsider our strategy
What is your proposal Fabius?
That we strave him of the only thing he thrives on
Battle.
The best way to fight Hannibal is to not fight him at all
Oh, he has a large army. But it is made up of many peoples --
- Who can easily be divided by harrassment of their supply lines ...
... by starvation of his troops. In short, to kick his army in the stomach.
These are the tactics of cowards, not soldiers.
Would you have the great Roman army adopt the tactics of the savage?
I would have the great Roman army do anything --
- To defeat this Hannibal, once and for all.
On the journey south --
- Illness had eaten into me in a way that no enemy could.
- Do they really think they can out-fight us this way? - They know a hungry army is a weak army.
We have to find a way to draw them in for an attack.
- Where's the damn healer? - He is on his way my brother.
We don't need a battlefield to defeat theseRomans. I want their houses burnt to the ground.
Their crops, their fields. Everything that makes the Roman feel safe. I want it reduced to ash.
Except Fabius.
I want his property to remain untouched
Then let's see how secure he feels when those around him start to lose everything.
So Fabius, how would you say your strategy is progressing?
He is trying to provoke you. Don't let him.
It's not your land going up in smoke.
- The infection is very deep. - Can anything be done?
- I'm Sorry - Then leave me.
Get Out!
Will I lose it?
Yes... I am sorry.
They may take it as an ill omen.
- It's not an ill omen. - Of course not.
Do you understand what it means to be a citizen of Rome, Scipio?
It means that whomever you are, wherever you go, people know that, --
- If you're attacked or mistreated, the whole might of Rome could be brought to bear in your defence.
- It is a unique privilege - I understand.
This barbarian sets an example, To every other half-breed and savage, --
- That Rome is to be trifled with.
I speak out of turn. You are loyal to Fabius.
Fabius is my commanding officer. Whomever held that rank would command my loyalty.
Fabius humiliates Rome.
My friend lacks your discipline Scipio. Please forgive his outburst.
He does, perhaps raise an interesting point though.
But feel free to speak plainly, Scipio.
You are among friends here.
Our present tactics make us look weak to our friends and allies. Hannibal is laughing at us.
This is not the way Rome should conduct itself.
So, if circumstances were somehow to change ....
... You would be in favor of engaging the barbarian?
I would, under the right leadership.
Well, my friend.
Perhaps the way of Fabius will not be the way of Rome for much longer.
Fabius' dictatorship is coming to an end. I myself am standing for Consul.
Then perhaps, we shall find another way of dealing with our problem.
Within six months, Varro's ambition was realized and he was elected as Consul.
The dictatorship of Fabius came to an end and so did his policy of refusing to engage Hannibal in battle
Scipio was appointed to the rank of Tribune in the new regime.
He joined the largest army Rome had ever put in the field--
- And marched to confront Hannibal.
Southern Italy. 216 BC.
The ensuing battle, would be one of bloodiest ever fought.
It looks like eight legions, 85,000 men.
- Are you beginning to miss Fabius, Gisco? - 85,000 ...
- It's the largest army Rome has ever assembled. - They come as one, we will kill them as one.
- They are well trained, they will be hard to break. - Discipline can be a flaw as well as a virtue.
The Romans are trained to fight in one way only, which makes them predictable.
We will present them with the unexpected and watch them fall apart
Gisco ...
- You're afraid - Of course not.
Don't be. There there are 80,000 Romans.
But not one of them is called Gisco.
Cannae. August 1st. 216 BC.
This is ideal.
We'll pitch our forces there, on that bank We'll be protected by the river on the right and the hills on our left.
There will be no chance of a surprise attack. And his cavalry won't be able to get around behind us.
- I wouldn't be so sure. - Paulus, we are almost twice his number.
We'll condense our troops into a mass of sword and shield and smash through the center of his frontline.
Then we'll see what this barbarian is really made of.
My only worry is whether he will actually fight.
Oh, he will fight.
Hannibal's Camp. Cannae August 2nd 216 BC.
We are outnumbered and the Romans have chosen a battlefield that plays to the strengths of their infantry, --
- It's a wise choice,
But it's not as wise as they think.
Our forces will be arranged like this like the outside of a bow.
Strong yet flexible
Mago, you will command this line.
I can't emphasise enough, it's importance to this battle.
The Romans will see our battle formation, but will not fear us.
They will have the confidence that comes only with greater numbers
and we will let them believe.
Remember... Their greatest strength can also be their greatest weakness.
Just before our lines engage, I want you Maharbal, to charge their cavalry
Attack!
When they see our cavalry advance, they will respond
Whatever your losses, you must drive them back and sow complete confusion.
Keep advancing!
We will suffer terrible losses, as we press on the attack. But you must drive them back.
The Romans will respond by throwing forward another wave of infantry. They have superior numbers and they will use that.
Legions of Rome! To Glory!
Be patient my brother. and give your ground slowly
When your line breaks, which it must--
- The Romans will be sucked. They will throw forward more and more troops.
Forward the Reserves!
At this point, the Romans will think they have won
Let them taste victory ...
... before we mobilize our hidden reserves to swing around and block them off on either flank.
They will be surrounded on three sides.
They will have nowhere to go... but backwards
You will return with your cavalry and cut them off
There will be no mercy.
Cannae, Southern Italy. Summer 216 BC.
It was the greatest battlefield vixtory of all time.
60,000 Romans perished at our sword.
The cream of military and political leadership completely wiped out in a single day.
A victory greater than that of Alexander or any hero who walked this Earth before me.
And yet, I felt no sense of triumph.
Cannae, marked the darkest moment in the history of the Roman republic..
In a matter of hours, Hannibal had all but obilerated Rome and everything it represented.
His next move would dictate the outcome of the war --
- and the course of history.
We should move soon ... To Rome
- My men can ride before dawn.
We are not going to Rome.
- What? - It's over, we won.
- No... - Not until Rome is destroyed, ripped apart, annihilated.
Why?
For what?! We are not savages!
Rome is on his knees, we don't need to tear apart the city just to prove we won
We are not going any further Maharbal.
It's over.
So the gods haven't given everything to one man.
You know how to win, Hannibal. But you don't know how to use a victory
What do you propose?
We shall present Rome with terms for their surrender.
Cannae was Hannibal's third major battle victory on Roman soil.
By the terms of anicent wafare, it should have secured his ultimate victory over Rome.
But Rome wasn't ready to accept defeat.
I shan't recriminate
and I shan't lay blame.
But I shall say this, If Rome is to survive, --
- We need a new army NOW!
I will lower the age of enrollment to 17 --
- And reduce the property qualification for military service.
Then I will go further.
I am declaring an amnesty to all criminals and slaves willing to fight under the Roman flag.
We will find soldiers anywhere we can.
We will use whatever resources we have. And if that means stripping the temples of weapons and armour --
- Those we have dedicated to the gods, then so be it.
- That is sacrilege! - It is the reality
The Gods do not need those weapons... We do!
No more pitched battles.
No more grand gestures.
We will grind the barbarian down, little by little, day by day --
- Until he is but dust--
- As I advised us to do from the start.
Arrogance and pride have brought us to where we are today.
But this is not a fight about honor, or glory --
- Or promotion
This is a fight to the death! For the survival of Rome.
They were supposed to capitulate.
Did you seriously expect surrender, from Rome?
We wander this country at will.
We destroy whatever force thay set against us We defeated them in battle three times.
The Romans can not go on producing new troops forever.
Nor raising new leaders overnight. By all the rules and conventions of war, she should be finished.
Did we play by the rules?
Brother ...
- I want you to return to Carthage. - Why?
To persuade the Senate. to send more men so we can finish the job we started.
We are going to take Italy, city by city, --
- Until Rome is so completely surrounded by hostile territory, that they will be forced to surrender.
The Council of Elders. Carthage, North Africa Autumn 216 BC.
-- These are the rings... of Roman senators, --
- Who have already fallen to our sword.
They are the symbols of our many victories over Rome.
What we need now is more men ...
... So that we can finish this war, once and for all.
Well ... Mago Barca If the Romans are very nearly vanquished --
- By your brothers heroic forces, why does he now seek our help?
With fresh supplies and more men, this campaign would be over.
I seem to recall that your brother assured us, that his conquest would be a quick affair
How long has it been now?.. Three years.
And what have you to show for it?
This campaign is over my friend.
Hannibal's army in Italy, will receive no further assistance from this Senate.
Furthermore, I move that you, Mago Barca, --
- Be appointed to command those reinforcements, --
- That we are despatching to Spain.
We won and won and won again.
But they send troops and supplies --
- Anywhere... But to Hannibal.
His enemies are more powerful.
The jealousy against him is stronger than ever.
As soon as the situation stabilizes in Spain, I will return to Hannibal --
- And take with me all the troops I can.
If they are ready to abandon him because of his success.
What will they do if he really fails?
Pray that he does not fail.
Without reinforcements, Hannibal's army couldn't force Rome into battle.
For the next seven years, he was left isolated.
Rome. 210 BC.
While Rome grew stronger and emerged with a plan --
- To try to finish the war with Hannibal.
- So... What is it that can not wait until tomorrow Scipio? - I have a proposal. - So I gather
We have been fighting Hannibal for nine years.
And you have given Rome a shield, which the enemy can not seem to break ...
Yes, yes, what's your point?
Victory comes not by the shield, but at the point of a sword.
Those are very pretty words Scipio. But we made exactly the same mistake before and it brought us to the edge of destruction.
Only a fool would make the same mistake twice.
I say, we keep the shield you have given us -
- But we take an invasion force to Spain --
While Hannibal is occupied here. We will rout the Carthaginians there.
It is exactly what he did with us.
And who will lead this new army?
Aren't you a little young to lead an army under the Standard of Rome? You know the rules.
And you, Fabius... Know how to break them.
I am sorry, Scipio. I don't think for one moment Rome will take the risk.
But Fabius underestimated Rome's desire to resolve the war with Hannibal.
And having observed Hannibal for more than 10 years, Scipio was about to prove --
- Just how much he had learned.
We must always ask ourselves, what does the enemy least expect.
And then we should do it.
His brothers, will expect us to engage them in open battle ... as we have always done.
But we shall not.
Instead, we shall do exactly what Hannibal failed to do... in Italy
We will go straight for their capital.
New Carthage is our goal.
We will lure their defenses away, and ambush them --
- Then... We shall sack the city.
There will be no mercy.
While Scipio ransacks Spain, --
- The one man who might have mounted successful defence --
- Was under orders to remain in Italy. Powerless to help.
General, I do not see good portents in the entrails of this beast
Then look harderr.. I'm getting tired of your constant gloom.
You would not have me lie to you General?
I would have you cut open and put on this tray, if it would help me .... priest.
Why disbelieve the guts?
The war is not longer here.
Scipio is in Spain winning victory after victory over our territories --
- While we rot here.
Is this how it all ends, Hannibal?
- I will summon my brother. - Hasdrubal? - He doubted me, as do you.
- But together we can make a stand against Rome. - The Senate will never allow ....
To Hell with the Senate! I will not be dictated to by them.
I will not be told what I may or may not do, by cowards.
I had not seen my brother Hasdrubal for almost 11 years.
I requested that he brought his army from Spain to reinforce me.
He sent word that he was on his way.
Take this message to my brother.
Hope soared, because together I lnew we would be invincible.
The problem was... So did Fabius.
His two armies plan to meet in Umbria
Good. Let us prepare to welcome him.
Steady men... Steady!
- 50,000 lives are in your hands. - They would follow you brother.
Is this how it all ends, Hannibal?
- They would follow you until their deaths. - I will be an enemy of Rome.
With Hasdrubal 's death, hopes of victory on Roman soil., slipped away from Hannibal
Scipio returned to Rome, triumphant from his Spanish campaign.
Now he was fired with even greater ambition.
Roman senators, I thank you
But there is more glory, to be had.
The conquest of Spain alone, will not win us this war.
To rid our country of the Carthaginian invader
... We must take the fight, to Africa.
... To Carthage itself!
Strike Carthage and they will call Hannibal back, to protect his homeland.
And on African soil, I will defeat him!
Just as Hannibal had once threatened the might of Rome --
- Now Scipio stood poised to crush Carthage.
Council Of Elders Carthage, North Africa.
We face the greatest crisis in the last 40 years While the enemy treads on our soil --
- And threatens our very existence
All measures must now be taken to ensure the security of the homeland.
Should we not then recall Hannibal Barca, from Italy?
It's due in no small measure to Hannibal Barca, that we find ourselves in this predicament.
Had he not ventured on this fool's errnd in Italy --
- Had he not deprived Spain of it's defences --
- And given comfort to our enemy...
The council's decision not to recall Hannibal was a disaster.
In a crushing defeat, the Carthaginian forces were destroyed at The Battle of Great Plains.
Hannibal remained in exile for another year. Until he was finally recalled --
- To defend Carthage and save the reputations of the politicians who had betrayed him.
But the odds were against him from the start.
- We are losing our allies to Rome. - Scipio is not stupid.
He is using exactly the same tactics as we used on him. Sapping our strength by stealing our allies.
Those allies include the Numidian cavalry
How many?
4000.
So we are out-numbered in cavalry. Our one true advantage.
All we have is an army of raw untrained recruits.
- We still have you General. - And I have you, and by the Gods, I will you need.
Scipio has bid for Zama.
Yes.
I need to know his exact numbers and disposition.. Soon
Scipios' camp. Zama, North Africa. 202 BC.
Hannibal's camp. Zama, North Africa. 202 BC.
These beasts are young General, They will need training.
-- Well, you have never let me down yet.... -- General.
-- We thought we were dead General... -- But they just showed us around the camp.
They showed you around the camp?
We were taken around by Scipio... ... By Scipio himself.
-- By Scipio?
We thought we were dead men. We thought they would kill us.
-- But he.., the General... He just showed us around the camp.
-- What did he show you? -- Everything
-- His Numidian cavalry?
--Yes. that was what the Romans showed us first.
-- I am sure he did. - I am sorry, General ...
You did what you were sent to do. I can ask nothing more. You can go back to your unit.
What is he trying to do? Is he trying to warn us off, or get us to fight?
I don't know.
I want to talk to him.
Hannibal and Scipio came face to face for the first time, on the plains of Zama.
This battle can serve no purpose Scipio.
I've always thought to understand you.
To understand a mind that takes such risks.
So it comes as some surprise to hear of Hannibal Barca, running from a fight.
Rome won't believe it.
Too many people have died already.
A pointless slaughter, of fine men on both sides can be avoided.
No.
If there is one thing I have learned. It is that war must be finished... Utterly
- I have you to thank for that lesson. - You have me to thank for everything you have become, Scipio.
Were it not for me, I wonder --
- Would you even command an army at all?.. I made you
You caused me to be. That's not the same thing.
If you taken to Rome when it's doors were open to you, we wouldn't be stand.ing here now
You didn't finish it then.
- So I finish it now. - Don't make this personal.
This was personal from the moment you set foot on Roman soil.
Then tomorrow we shall decide the course of our history.
The battle took place at Zama. 150 km south of Carthage.
In his 16 year campaign against Rome, Hannibal hadn't lost a single battle.
Hannibal assembled a force of 50,000 men --
- Outnumbering Sciopos' army of 30,000.
His 80 war elephants, were primed to deliver it's single charge at the Roman infantry.
But Scipio anticipated Hannibal -- -
At the last moment, as the elephants charged. Great channels opened in the Roman line
- Drawing the beasts into corridors of death.
The elephants that survived turned and fled. Stampeding their own men.
Each of my Roman enemies revealed a weakness, that I could exploit.
I had outwitted, outfought and outlasted all of them.
But not Scipio.
Scipio had imitated my strategy, copied my tactics.
And now, I saw just how well he understood me.
He ordered the cavalry, he had taken from me, to seal our fate, --
- Just as we had done to them at Cannae.
At Zama he used everything he learned from me, --
- To destroy me.
General, you have got to save yourself!
While your alive, they will never feel safe. Carthage will never be without hope.... Save yourself Gemeral..
Hannibal fled from Zama.
The war was over. Rome had won.
19 years later.
But as long as Hannibal was alive, Rome could not rest.
They finally tracked him down to Bitnië. In Northern Turkey
But Hannibal would never give Rome the satisfaction of killing him.
Now the time hs come, to rid the Romans of this hated old man.
War!
Fabius He saved Rome from its greatest crisis. Did not live to see Hannibal's defet at Zama
Pray that he does not fail.
Mago Was never reunited with Hannibal. Died at sea before Zama.
Had you taken Rome when it's doors were open to you. We wouldn't be standing here now
Scipio Political career failed to match his military triumphs. Died shortly after Hannibial.
- Is that all? - Yes General.
I only wrote what he told me... I didn't.
I ..... I know.
But if anyone writes the story of that man --
- It shall be the Romans.
Hannibal's War brought Rome to the brink of destruction.
But, by not taking Rome, after the battle of Cannae --
- He failed to deliver the final decisive blow.
His threat shocked Rome into action.
Eventually they emerged as the force that would one day conquer -
- Not just Carthage. But much of the known world.
Even after his suicide. Hannibal lived on in the Roman mind.
A painful memory. A dark presence.
Rome's worst nightmare.
No nimals we harmed during the making of this film.