Hannibal's Oath: Age NINE, Never a Friend of Rome #Shorts
Pack: 32 - Hannibal's Oath Age NINE, Never a Friend of Rome
At nine years old, Hannibal laid his hand on a sacrifice and swore never to be a friend of Rome. We only know because, decades later and in exile, he told the story himself to save his position at a foreign king's court.
- When his father Hamilcar was leaving for Spain, the nine-year-old Hannibal begged to go; first, his father led him to the altar and had him swear (Polybius, Histories 3.11).
- Hannibal grew up to march an army and elephants over the Alps and destroy Roman armies at the Trebia, Lake Trasimene and Cannae, 218–216 BCE (Polybius 3; Britannica, Battle of Cannae).
- Rome won the war at Zama in 202 BCE (World History Encyclopedia). After his final defeat, Hannibal ended up in exile at the court of King Antiochus (Polybius 3.11).
- Roman envoys made Antiochus suspect him, so Hannibal told the king the story of the altar. "Antiochus listened to this story," Polybius writes, and gave up his suspicions (Polybius 3.12, tr. Shuckburgh).
Childhood vow, or clever defense? Tell us in the comments. Full story in our documentary, The Full History of Rome.
Quick answers
What is “Hannibal's Oath: Age NINE, Never a Friend of Rome” about?
At nine years old, Hannibal laid his hand on a sacrifice and swore never to be a friend of Rome. We only know because, decades later and in exile, he told the story himself to save his position at a foreign king's court.
What are the key facts?
When his father Hamilcar was leaving for Spain, the nine-year-old Hannibal begged to go; first, his father led him to the altar and had him swear (Polybius, Histories 3.11). Hannibal grew up to march an army and elephants over the Alps and destroy Roman armies at the Trebia, Lake Trasimene and Cannae, 218–216 BCE (Polybius 3; Britannica, Battle of Cannae).
What sources is this Short based on?
It cites Polybius, Histories, tr. Evelyn S. Shuckburgh (1889), Book 3.11–12 and 3.56, Project Gutenberg 44125; Britannica, Battle of Cannae; World History Encyclopedia, Battle of Zama. Links are in the Sources list below.
Sources
- Polybius, Histories, tr. Evelyn S. Shuckburgh (1889), Book 3.11–12 and 3.56, Project Gutenberg 44125
- Britannica, Battle of Cannae
- World History Encyclopedia, Battle of Zama
Images
- Hannibal Swearing Eternal Enmity toward Rome, c. 1808 — unknown French artist, Cleveland Museum of Art 2008.349 — CC0 —
- Hannibal as a child swears against the Romans, print, 1780 (cropped) — Rijksmuseum RP-P-OB-64.239 — CC0 —
- Hannibal's march, 218–216 BCE, map (Blender) — Shadowfetch Studio — own work
- The Battle between Scipio and Hannibal at Zama, 1567 (as imagined) — Cornelis Cort after Giulio Romano, The Metropolitan Museum of Art — CC0 —
- Hannibal Crossing the Alps on an Elephant, c. 1625–1626 (as imagined) — attributed to Nicolas Poussin — Public domain —
