Hannibal: Rome’s Greatest Enemy by Philip Freeman is a quick and informative read on how ancient Rome was almost toppled by an African general against all odds. If you’ve read ancient civilization, especially on the Romans, you’ve likely heard the phrase “Carthage must be destroyed!”. The man who started it all was none other than Hannibal. This was one of my first attempt at getting an in-depth look at one of the greatest military strategist of ancient times. When it comes to the spotlight on some of the greatest military minds during those times, most casual readers and history fans such as myself no doubt will look towards the usual suspects of Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar. However, woe behold those who choose to skip over Hannibal. Philip Freeman as always does an incredible job of writing history that can be picked up and read by the most casual of readers and actually enjoying it. I’ve actually read his works on both Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar. With Hannibal, I knew I could do no wrong sticking with the same author.

If memory serves me correct, Rome had been literally sacked multiple times throughout their history. However, they were during the later days when they were weakened as an empire and already crumbling. With Hannibal, it was during the earlier times when Rome was at their greatest in strength. He literally was the Roman’s boogeyman. The story and telling of this mighty general from Carthage gives us the juicy details of his incredible quest to defeat an empire that pretty much did all the bullying and conquering themselves. The information presented here, as likely as many other books on Hannibal himself and his adventures, is drawn from two primary ancient sources: Polybius and Livy. The problem is that their account is likely not the most accurate. However, it is what all modern historians and authors have to work with.

While I’ll admit that I’ll not likely read another Hannibal history book due to the limited sources of information, I’m glad to have selected this one as my first and only introduction to this fascinating time period. While everyone is aware or at least have a general sense of how mighty the Romans were during ancient times, they were not invincible. Their weaknesses were exploited by Hannibal and, being the cerebral assassin that he is, it’s no wonder how he was able to live in their minds rent-free long after he retired from the battlefield and death. Similar to how our modern history could be altered and changed forever via certain major events and decisions made during ancient times by single individuals, who knows what would have happened to world events if Hannibal was indeed able to take down Rome?