Hannibal's March on Rome

The Ancients

History Hit

History

4.7 • 3.5K Ratings

🗓️ 6 July 2025

⏱️ 60 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

It was perhaps Hannibal’s greatest gamble — after years of victories, not least his famed trek across the snow-capped Alps, could he strike at Rome itself?

In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr. Louis Rawlings to explore the dramatic years after Hannibal’s crushing triumph at Cannae. With Rome refusing to surrender despite horrific losses, Hannibal changed strategy in 211 BC and set his sights on the Roman capital. Join us to discover how the Carthaginian genius kept his army alive deep in enemy territory, why Rome’s resilience frustrated him, and how close he came to rewriting history.

Rise of Hannibal:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3ZSg0gwceToyk01XXNJtCb

Hannibal: Crossing the Alps:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/7a4XOqxY8J3GhEaRDwX315

Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan and the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.

All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds

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Transcript

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0:00.0	Hi, I'm Tristan Hughes, and if you would like the ancient ad-free, get early access and bonus episodes, sign up to History Hit.
0:08.1	With a History Hit subscription, you can also watch hundreds of hours of original documentaries, including my recent documentary all about Petra and the Nabatans, and enjoy a new release every week.
0:19.3	Sign up now by visiting historyhit.com slash subscribe.
0:25.2	Fancy a fever tree and vodka.
0:29.2	Yes, vodka, not gin, because this is fever tree Mexican lime soda.
0:35.2	Yes, soda, not tonic.
0:38.3	With Mexican lime and Japanese yuzu for a zesty, refreshing lime soda that's just sweet enough.
0:45.0	Delicious with vodka or on its own.
0:48.5	Vivertree Mexican lime soda.
0:50.9	Mix with the best.
0:53.0	Hmm, now that hits the spot.
0:57.5	Hey guys, I hope you're doing well.
0:59.9	I'm currently at History Hit HQ.
1:01.8	I'm outside, having a nice bit of a relax.
1:04.3	And to tell you all about today's episode,
1:07.1	it's about the famous Carthaginian commander, Hannibal Barker, with a particular focus on his march against the city of Rome itself at the height of his campaigns in Italy.
1:17.6	Our guest today is Dr. Louis Rawlings from Cardiff University and encyclopedia when it comes to the story of Hannibal Barker.
1:23.6	And it was fascinating just listening to him delve into the nitty-gritty,
1:31.5	important military details of this key event in Hannibal's life.
1:33.9	I loved it, and I hope you guys do too. You know what you guys do too. It's 211 BC and Hannibal Barker has been fighting the Romans in Italy for the past six years.
1:58.5	He has marched his army, including elephants across the Alps, his most legendary achievement.
2:04.8	He has defeated the Romans in three massive pitched battles that had resulted in tens of thousands of Romans dead.
	...

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