Second+Punic+War+-+Alps

Hannibal in the Alps

In 218BC during the 2nd Punic War Hannibal was in New Carthage. He found out that Carthage was at war with Rome again. Hannibal decided to cross over the Pyrenees and the Alps to get to Italy instead of going back to Carthage.

It was a hard trek across the mountains. The snow and resisting villages made it hard to get across easily. Many men and animals died from starvation and from the cold. There were also many deaths from falling off the cliffs.

The trip from New Carthage to Italy took 5 months. When they reached the top of the Alps Hannibal's men were tired and ready to quit. Hannibal showed them a big valley full of villages to plunder. The men were filled with energy and finished their descent in 5 more days.