Books: Hannibal, The Pride of Carthage
One of my great interests is our history, I've always liked to know more about our past, where we came from, how we got here. So that’s why more than 10 years ago when I had the luck of finding a book that despite to be a novel product of the author's imagination (always keeping in mind that fantasy is included in the novel), was based in my opinion with very correct data about the life of Hannibal Barca or Hannibal of Cartage as it is also known.
The whole novel focuses on the second century BC, starting at Hispania, (Carthaginian Empire) and little by little it recounts all that Hannibal had to do to attack the Roman Empire, defeating them with his audacious exploits in several battles during the Second Punic War, of which the most outstanding could be to go through the Pyrenees and the Alps with his army and 38 elephants to conquer Italy, where he managed to stay for 10 years.
It is still not known very well why he did not finish entering Rome since it was very close to achieving it. It is said that it was due to lack of resources, not having the necessary siege machinery or because it simply was not his real intention, but that the surrender of Rome. Then due to the African Campaign of Scipio Africanus, he is called back to Carthage where he suffers his great defeat at the Battle of Zama but manages to escape alive and then return to face the Romans at the Battle of Eurymedon, where he is again defeated, but he escapes alive.
Already after this defeat takes refuge in the Court of Bithynia, who betrayed him by trying to turn him to Rome, but he commits suicide before being captured.
His story is one of the most interesting; his way of making war is still studied and was praised, glorified and even emulated by his enemies. He is considered one of the greatest generals in history and there are several films, documentaries, and books about him.
For any lover of history and the passage of this great character through the time, this novel will undoubtedly enjoy.
Moreover, if you already read it, I would like to read what you thought or if you have any literary suggestion of the genre.
Until soon,
Luis Colmenares