The Second Punic War was one of the most dramatic and consequential conflicts in all of ancient history — a seventeen-year struggle between the two great powers of the Mediterranean: Rome and Carthage. It was a war that produced two of the greatest generals the world has ever known — Hannibal Barca and Publius Cornelius Scipio, later called Scipio Africanus. Their rivalry, strategies, and battles shaped the course of Western civilization.
In this podcast, we trace the entire story of the Second Punic War — from Hannibal’s daring crossing of the Alps and his stunning victories at Trebia, Lake Trasimene, and Cannae, to the desperate years that followed, when Rome refused to surrender even in the face of disaster. You’ll see how the Republic slowly turned the tide of war: retaking Spain, crushing Carthaginian hopes in Sicily and Sardinia, and preparing for the ultimate counterattack.
We’ll explore how Scipio — once a young tribune at Cannae — rose to command Rome’s armies in Spain, trained the survivors of that battle into an elite fighting force, and launched his bold invasion of North Africa. You’ll witness the alliances, betrayals, and political intrigue that shaped the conflict: Carthage’s uneasy oligarchy, the role of Numidian kings Masinissa and Syphax, and the desperate maneuvers that brought Hannibal back from Italy for one last stand.
Finally, the podcast reaches its climax at the Battle of Zama (202 BC) — the confrontation that decided the fate of the ancient Mediterranean. We’ll examine Scipio’s tactics, Hannibal’s final gambit with war elephants, and the brutal clash that ended with Carthage’s defeat and Rome’s rise as the undisputed superpower of the ancient world.
This is not just the story of a war — it’s the story of endurance, genius, and the transformation of Rome from a republic fighting for survival into a dominion destined to rule for centuries.
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This Episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/pcYg1Tm2Htg
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🎤 Voiceover by: Nick Banas
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