Nov 1, 2005
Hannibal Special: ENDLESS MARCHING SAPS ENERGY FROM GENERAL'S AMAZING STORY
Television imitates history.
In ancient times, Hannibal's conquest of Rome was stymied by Carthage's ineffectual rulers.
Tonight's Hannibal v Rome National Geographic special is bogged down with too much marching to keep most viewers' attention for two hours.
The approach detracts from the story of Hannibal, one of history's greatest generals. He has been the subject of several recent books (fictional and
historical) and a History Channel special. Hollywood, too, is considering a film about Hannibal starring Vin Diesel.
Hannibal Barca (247-182 B.C.) led the kingdom of Carthage (in modern-day Tunis, Tunisia, in northern Africa) in the second Punic War against Rome.
Hamilcar, his father, fought the Romans during the first Punic War but retreated with his defeated forces to "New Carthage" (Cartagena, Spain). A couple of years after Hamilcar's death, Hannibal stunned the Romans by leading his army into the republic by crossing the Alps.
His contingent of men, horses and elephants was cut in half because of their arduous trek through the mountains, but Rome's enemies helped replenish the forces.
After a series of victories, including the famed Battle of Cannae (where Hannibal's outnumbered men slaughtered 50,000 Romans), the general was unable to take Rome. He pillaged the countryside for years but was unable to gather additional troops to finish the job.
Returning to Carthage, Hannibal was decisively defeated at Zama by Roman leader Scipio, a Cannae survivor.
Hannibal spent his remaining years as a hunted enemy of the Roman Empire.
The Romans built an empire that dominated Western civilization for centuries to come.
Hannibal v Rome tells the general's story with impressive computer-graphic imaging and on-location filming in the Alps. Battle diagrams and scholars provide historical background.
In ancient times, Hannibal's conquest of Rome was stymied by Carthage's ineffectual rulers.
Tonight's Hannibal v Rome National Geographic special is bogged down with too much marching to keep most viewers' attention for two hours.
The approach detracts from the story of Hannibal, one of history's greatest generals. He has been the subject of several recent books (fictional and
historical) and a History Channel special. Hollywood, too, is considering a film about Hannibal starring Vin Diesel.
Hannibal Barca (247-182 B.C.) led the kingdom of Carthage (in modern-day Tunis, Tunisia, in northern Africa) in the second Punic War against Rome.
Hamilcar, his father, fought the Romans during the first Punic War but retreated with his defeated forces to "New Carthage" (Cartagena, Spain). A couple of years after Hamilcar's death, Hannibal stunned the Romans by leading his army into the republic by crossing the Alps.
His contingent of men, horses and elephants was cut in half because of their arduous trek through the mountains, but Rome's enemies helped replenish the forces.
After a series of victories, including the famed Battle of Cannae (where Hannibal's outnumbered men slaughtered 50,000 Romans), the general was unable to take Rome. He pillaged the countryside for years but was unable to gather additional troops to finish the job.
Returning to Carthage, Hannibal was decisively defeated at Zama by Roman leader Scipio, a Cannae survivor.
Hannibal spent his remaining years as a hunted enemy of the Roman Empire.
The Romans built an empire that dominated Western civilization for centuries to come.
Hannibal v Rome tells the general's story with impressive computer-graphic imaging and on-location filming in the Alps. Battle diagrams and scholars provide historical background.