How to Pronounce Hannibal (in English)

Meaning and Context

Hannibal Barca, born in 247 BCE, was the preeminent military commander of the ancient North African power, Carthage, whose strategic genius during the Second Punic War (218-201 BCE) brought the Roman Republic to the brink of collapse. His most legendary achievement was the audacious crossing of the Alps with a diverse army that included war elephants, a feat of logistics and daring that remains a cornerstone of military history. Hannibal's subsequent victories on Italian soil, most notably the tactical masterpiece at the Battle of Cannae in 216 BCE where he encircled and annihilated a much larger Roman force, cemented his enduring legacy as one of history's greatest military tacticians. Despite these successes, the lack of sustained support from Carthage and the Roman strategy of attrition under Fabius Maximus ultimately prevented Hannibal from capturing Rome itself. His story is a timeless study in brilliant battlefield command, strategic overreach, and the pivotal conflict between Carthage and Rome that shaped the destiny of the Western world.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The standard English spelling is Hannibal. A common misspelling is Hanibal, omitting the second 'n'. Other frequent errors include Hannible or Hannibal, which incorrectly substitute or add an 'e'. Confusion can also arise with the name of the fictional serial killer Hannibal Lecter, leading to contextual errors in historical discussions. In ancient texts, his name is derived from the Punic "Ḥannibaʿl," meaning "Grace of Baʿal." When referencing his full name, it is Hannibal Barca, with "Barca" (meaning "thunderbolt" or "flash") often being a family epithet. It is important to distinguish the historical figure from the various cities named Hannibal in the United States.

Example Sentences

Historians continue to analyze Hannibal's complex battle formations at Cannae as the archetype of a double-envelopment maneuver.

Despite being vastly outnumbered and operating on foreign soil for over a decade, Hannibal's army remained undefeated in major pitched battles throughout his Italian campaign.

The image of Hannibal's war elephants struggling through the snowy Alpine passes has become an enduring symbol of impossible ambition and military perseverance.

Modern generals still study Hannibal's strategies, though his ultimate failure to secure a lasting victory highlights the critical interplay between tactical prowess and long-term logistical planning.

After his defeat at the Battle of Zama in 202 BCE, Hannibal later served as a suffete, or chief magistrate, in Carthage before being forced into exile by Roman political pressure.

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