Rethinking the Factors that Determined Roman Victory in the Second Punic War.

Despite being one of the most important conflicts of the ancient world, and a pivotal moment in Roman history, there are still misconceptions about the Second Punic War. Most notably, the fact that Hannibal was on the verge of victory following his success at Cannae (216), and that only the victory at the Metaurus (207) changed the course of the war in Rome's favour. This paper will emphasize the different strategic approach employed by both sides and that, ultimately, Hannibal's Hellenistic warfare doctrines were inadequate against Rome's war machine of the late third century. Next, it will examine four crucial factors that deeply influenced the course of the war well before the battle of the Metaurus due to their military, strategic and economic repercussions. Ultimately, it will be suggested that Rome altered the course of the war already from 215 and that, by 211, its victory was already determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]