The War with Hannibal
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In The War with Hannibal, Livy (59 BC-AD 17) chronicles the events of the Second Punic War between Rome and Carthage, until the Battle of Zama in 202 BC. He vividly recreates the immense armies of Hannibal, complete with elephants, crossing the Alps; the panic as they approached the gates of Rome; and the decimation of the Roman army at the Battle of Lake Trasimene. Yet it is also the clash of personalities that fascinates Livy, from great debates in the Senate to the historic meeting between Scipio and Hannibal before the decisive battle. Livy never hesitates to introduce both intense drama and moral lessons into his work, and here he brings a turbulent episode in history powerfully to life.
About the Author
Titus Livius (59BC-AD17) began working on his History of Rome at the age of 30 and continued for over 40 years until his death. The history ran to 142 books, of which 35 survive.
Aubrey de Sélincourt (1896-1962) translated Livy, Heroditus, and Arrian for Penguin Classics.
Betty Radice was joint editor of the Penguin Classics and an honorary fellow at St Hilda's College, Oxford. She died in 1985.
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First Sentence
1. Most historians have prefaced their work by stressing the importance of the period they propose to deal with; and I may well, at this point, follow their example and declare that I am now about to tell the story of the most memorable war in history: that, namely, which was fought by Carthage under the leadership of Hannibal against Rome. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
1. Most historians have prefaced their work by stressing the importance of the period they propose to deal with; and I may well, at this point, follow their example and declare that I am now about to tell the story of the most memorable war in history: that, namely, which was fought by Carthage under the leadership of Hannibal against Rome. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
There is no better way of learning about Ancient Rome than to go the historians who lived in it. It will be very surprising to those not accustomed to reading ancient authors how approachable Livy's books are. Livy had a knack for telling a good story, and the ancient practice of re-creating, and in some cases, inventing speeches for key characters to deliver at key moments, is surprisingly effective. In fact, there is much wisdom in such a practice, for through such speeches we get the more subjective, emotional reality behind events. We could use some of that in our contemporary historical writing, which tends be very fact-based and yet missing the very important emotional context. Take the Iraqi war, for example. No doubt the history books will be full of data about its causes, but will future readers really understand the emotional context of the US response to 9-11? Would a speech encapsulating the misdirected rage not be helpful in this regard?
Anyway, this book would make a particularly good introduction to the classics, with the grandness of the story being told: This is the one that contains Hannibal's invasion of Italy, crossing the Alps with an international army of mercenaries and a few African elephants. It's a story full of suspense, with the Romans being shoved against the wall of their own home, suffering disaster after disaster, and then overcoming the odds through sheer grit and composure. On the moral side of things, it is difficult not to feel inspired in one personal's life after reading this until the memory of it all fades away--a good reason for getting the prior or next instalment of Livy.
Anyway, this book would make a particularly good introduction to the classics, with the grandness of the story being told: This is the one that contains Hannibal's invasion of Italy, crossing the Alps with an international army of mercenaries and a few African elephants. It's a story full of suspense, with the Romans being shoved against the wall of their own home, suffering disaster after disaster, and then overcoming the odds through sheer grit and composure. On the moral side of things, it is difficult not to feel inspired in one personal's life after reading this until the memory of it all fades away--a good reason for getting the prior or next instalment of Livy.
13 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
If you are faintly interested in Roman History, then you should really read this book. It may be over two thousand years old, but it is certainly still alive and kicking! It is chock full of fascinating characters, such as the central, one-eyed battle-hardened Hannibal himself but also all of the Romans who face him - the reckless Minucius, the headstrong Varro and the steadfast and all-knowing Quintus Fabias Maximus. The battle scenes are fascinating and often very exciting, whilst the story of the panic in Rome, including amongst the common Romans as well as the frenzied debates of the Senate, is no less absorbing. Livy also provides us with many fascinating snapshots of Roman religious beliefs and customs along with his military commentaries that to read it is to be transported back to Ancient Rome. The book may be a bit fat and dry sounding, but open it up and you will be pleasantly surprised. Enthralling and totally compelling.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is the story of the Second Punic War, and of Rome's most implacable foe: Hannibal Barca. There can be little doubt that the world would be a very different place had Carthage won this war.
In his introduction, Livy writes the following:
"A number of things contributed to give this war its unique character; in the first place, it was fought between peoples unrivalled throughout previous history in material resources, and themselves at the peak of their prosperity and power; secondly, it was a struggle between old antagonists, each of whom had learned, in the first Punic War, to appreciate the military capabilities of the other; thirdly, the final issue hung so much in doubt that the eventual victors came nearer to destruction than their adversaries."
Livy's chronicle of this long and bitter struggle - stretching from the siege of Saguntum in 218BC to Hannibal's final defeat at Zama in 202BC - is a thrilling story. Its depiction of Hannibal is unusual, given the traditional bias of Roman historians towards their enemies. He was clearly an exceptional man, capable of leading armies made up of tens of different nationalities, and of holding them together. But Livy also argues that it was Hannibal's over-confidence, coupled with the intrigues of his political enemies, that led to his eventual downfall.
Livy does not shrink from criticizing his own side. His descriptions of the catastrophic trilogy of Roman defeats (River Trebia, Lake Trasimene, Cannae) read like scathing indictments. His portrayal of the Senate's ineptitude is even more damning. Some passages are very revealing, such as those describing how the Romans built their first war fleet based on a captured Carthaginian vessel. On the other hand, Livy can also engage in outright propaganda. For example, his account of young Scipio's election as curule aedile by universal popular acclaim is totally unbelievable. He generally paints Africanus in a flawless light. Nevertheless, it all makes for an entertaining read.
In sum, "The War With Hannibal" is not to be missed. Aubrey de Selincourt provides an excellent translation of an epic struggle, with all the twists and turns of war.
In his introduction, Livy writes the following:
"A number of things contributed to give this war its unique character; in the first place, it was fought between peoples unrivalled throughout previous history in material resources, and themselves at the peak of their prosperity and power; secondly, it was a struggle between old antagonists, each of whom had learned, in the first Punic War, to appreciate the military capabilities of the other; thirdly, the final issue hung so much in doubt that the eventual victors came nearer to destruction than their adversaries."
Livy's chronicle of this long and bitter struggle - stretching from the siege of Saguntum in 218BC to Hannibal's final defeat at Zama in 202BC - is a thrilling story. Its depiction of Hannibal is unusual, given the traditional bias of Roman historians towards their enemies. He was clearly an exceptional man, capable of leading armies made up of tens of different nationalities, and of holding them together. But Livy also argues that it was Hannibal's over-confidence, coupled with the intrigues of his political enemies, that led to his eventual downfall.
Livy does not shrink from criticizing his own side. His descriptions of the catastrophic trilogy of Roman defeats (River Trebia, Lake Trasimene, Cannae) read like scathing indictments. His portrayal of the Senate's ineptitude is even more damning. Some passages are very revealing, such as those describing how the Romans built their first war fleet based on a captured Carthaginian vessel. On the other hand, Livy can also engage in outright propaganda. For example, his account of young Scipio's election as curule aedile by universal popular acclaim is totally unbelievable. He generally paints Africanus in a flawless light. Nevertheless, it all makes for an entertaining read.
In sum, "The War With Hannibal" is not to be missed. Aubrey de Selincourt provides an excellent translation of an epic struggle, with all the twists and turns of war.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Excellent
I bought this book to help me with my Latin AS Level course - and that it certainly did! The translation (from a linguistic point of view) follows the real Latin very closely,... Read more
Published on 11 April 2005
A thoroughly gripping tale
It's surprising that more than a millennium after it was written, this history is still fascinating and as enjoyable to read as the most modern book. Read more
Published on 19 Feb 2002
A good translation of an excellent book
I have always enjoyed the way Livy can bring characters to life and this book is no exception. The content is fascinating and this translation is very competent.
Published on 20 Oct 2001 by trewornan
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