Cannae: The experience of battle in the Second
Punic War by Gregory Daly (Routledge, 2003)
In 216 BC, the forces of Hannibal faced the Roman army at Cannae. Massively
outnumbered, the Carthaginians won an astonishing victory. Daly considers the
reasons that led the two armies to the field of battle, and why each followed
the course they did. He explores in detail the composition of the armies, and
the tactics and leadership methods of the opposing generals. Finally, by focusing
on the experiences of those who fought, he gives a portrait of the horror and
chaos of ancient warfare. Buy
this book
Carthage by Serge Lancel (Blackwell,
1997). Out of print; may available from libraries or second-hand bookshops.
Illustrated with maps and photographs, this book describes the history of the
ancient North African capital of one of the world’s most impressive empires,
from its foundation by the Phoenicians in the 9th century BC to its destruction
by the Romans. There is also information on the Punic culture that still remains
and of new archaeological findings.
Excavations at Carthage: The British mission
(vols 1 and 2), edited by Henry Hurst (Oxford University Press, 1995)
These two books contain the findings of the excavation of the famous Circular
(or Naval) Harbour of Carthage, including the dry docks of the Carthaginian
navy and the probable remains of a Roman imperial cloth works. There are also
reports on pottery ranging from the late Punic to the late Byzantine period.
Buy
this book
Hannibal by Ernle Bradford (Wordsworth,
2000)
A biography of the general who destroyed Roman armies with an almost contemptuous
ease. Bradford depicts Hannibal as the soldier, the general, the statesman and
the private man. Buy
this book
Hannibal: Enemy of Rome by Leonard Cottrell
(Da Capo Press, 1992)
Blending biography and military adventure, this is a portrait of a military
genius. The son of a famous general in his own right, Hannibal was a student
of the Greek classics and a highly civilised man but his father’s lifelong
grudge against Rome fostered in the son a deep hatred for that Republic and
a fierce determination to subdue it. Buy
this book
Hannibal: A history of the art of war among
the Carthaginians and Romans by Theodore Ayrault Dodge (Perseus Books, 1995)
First published in 1891, this is a classic history of Hannibal and his military
exploits. It follows Hannibal's route over the Alps, from Carthage to Italy,
and its examination of military relations between Carthage and Rome throughout
the history of the Punic Wars provides a thorough background to Hannibal's art
of war. Buy
this book
Hannibal Crosses the Alps: The invasion
of Italy and the Second Punic War by John Prevas (Da Capo Press, 2001)
Hannibal’s advance on Rome through rough terrain and fierce Celtic tribes
made him a legend. The author combines rigorous research with his own excursions
through the Alps to bring to life this awesome trek, shedding fresh light on
the culture of Rome and Carthage along the way. Buy
this book
The Fall of Carthage: The Punic Wars 265-146
BC by Adrian Goldsworthy (Cassell Military, 2003)
The struggle between Rome and Carthage in the Punic Wars was, argues Goldsworthy,
the greatest and most desperate conflict of antiquity. The forces involved and
the casualties suffered by both sides were far greater than in any wars fought
before the modern era. The eventual outcome had far-reaching consequences for
the history of the Western world – namely, the ascendancy of Rome. Buy
this book
The Punic Wars: Rome, Carthage and the struggle
for the Mediterranean by Nigel Bagnall (Pimlico, 1999)
The Punic Wars (264-146 BC) were the result of a mighty power struggle between
two ancient civilisations: the trading empire of Carthage and the military confederation
of Rome. Although the wars took place more than 2,000 years ago, Bagnall argues
that they have a remarkable contemporary significance.
Scipio Africanus: Greater than Napoleon
by Basil Liddell Hart (Da Capo Press, 1994)
Scipio Africanus was one of the most exciting and dynamic leaders in history,
yet only his adversary Hannibal has lived on in the public memory. Scipio clashed
with Hannibal himself, annihilating his army in the decisive battle of Zama.
For this triumph and his other exploits in the Punic Wars, he was awarded the
title Africanus. This is a fascinating portrait of an extraordinary commander.
Buy
this book
Ancient
texts
The Aeneid by Virgil,
translated by W F Jackson Knight (Penguin, 1969)
Virgil (70-19 BC) describes the legendary origin of the Roman nation. He tells
of the Trojan prince Aeneas, who escaped with some followers after Troy fell
and sailed to Italy, where they settled and laid the foundations of Roman power.
It includes the Roman mythical version of Carthage's foundation. Buy
this book
The Rise of
the Roman Empire by Polybius, edited by F W Walbank, translated by Ian Scott-Kilvert
(Penguin, 1979)
The Greek statesman Polybius set out to help his fellow-countrymen understand
how their world had come to be dominated by Rome. Opening with the Punic War
in 264 BC, he records the critical stages of Roman expansion – its campaigns
throughout the Mediterranean, the temporary setbacks inflicted by Hannibal and
the final destruction of Carthage in 146 BC. Polybius was able to draw on a
range of eyewitness accounts, alongside his own experiences of many of the central
events, giving his work immediacy and authority. Buy
this book
The War with Hannibal
by Livy, translated by Aubrey de Selincourt and B Radice (Penguin, 1970)
Livy (59 BC-AD 17) chronicles the events of the Second Punic War between Rome
and Carthage. 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. Buy
this book
Historical
fiction
Carthage by Peter Huby (Dewi Lewis Publishing,
2002) In 146 BC, the Roman army took Carthage by storm. The people of the city
were massacred or enslaved and every building was razed to the ground. Set against
this background, this chilling novel tells the story of seven people caught
up in the cruelty and destruction. Buy
this book
Hannibal by Ross Leckie (Abacus, 1996)
The first in a trilogy of novels that use the historical facts of Hannibal’s
upbringing in Carthage, his hatred of the Romans and the battles he led to depict
the man’s dark personality. Buy
this book
Salammbo by
Gustave Flaubert, translated by A J Krailsheimer (Penguin, 1977)
Immediately after the protracted and crippling First Punic War with Rome, the
Carthaginian army under Hamilcar has to contend with a revolt by its unpaid
mercenaries led by the Libyan Matho. The exotic and chilling Salammbo, priestess
in the temple of the goddess Tanit, and her obsessive relationship with Matho,
lends dramatic unity to a tale of epic grandeur in which Flaubert gave full
rein to his love of the gorgeous, the voluptuous and the bizarre. Buy
this book
Travel
guides
Footprint Tunisia Handbook by Justin
McGuinness (Footprint Books, 2002)
This updated handbook is a comprehensive guide for all visitors. Containing
background and travel information, it includes detailed coverage of Tunis and
the other major cities. Buy
this book
Motorcycle Journeys through the Alps and
Corsica by John Hermann (Whitehorse Press, 2002)
If you fancy a motorbike rather than an elephant, this book contains 49 individual
riding trips, each lasting about a day. It covers every region of the Alps,
so whether you want to focus on Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Italy or France
(or Liechtenstein, for that matter), you'll find trips that appeal to you. Buy
this book
A Traveller's History of North Africa
by Barnaby Rogerson (Interlink Books, 1998)
This authoritative but very readable book covers the history of Morocco, Tunisia,
Algeria and Libya. Rogerson establishes a surprisingly clear vision of north
African history from Carthage to the present, seeing this area as a kind of
island, isolated by sea and desert, and thus set apart from Europe and sub-Saharan
Africa. Buy
this book
Tunis, Kairouan and Carthage by Graham
Petrie (Stacey International, 2003) This classic travel text, written in 1908,
presents an insight into life on the north African coast. It interweaves history,
personal observations and anecdote and plunges the reader into the heart of
old Tunisia. Buy
this book
Dido and Aeneas by Henry Purcell (L'Oiseau
Lyre, catalogue no: 4369922, released: 8 June 1994)
Based on Virgil's Aeneid. John
Mark Ainsley sings the role of Aeneas, and Catherine Bott is Dido. Buy
this
Les Troyens by Hector Berlioz (Label: LSO
Live, catalogue no: LSO0010, released: 9 July 2001)
The fall of Troy haunted Berlioz from childhood and inspired some of his most
passionately dramatic, richly colourful music. The opera he wrote about it is
here conducted by Colin Davis, with the London Symphony Orchestra. Ben Heppner
plays Aeneas; Michelle de Young is Dido. Buy
this
