Assess how the contributions of Fabius Maximus and Scipio Africanus to the Second Punic War
Assess how the contributions of Fabius Maximus and Scipio Africanus to the Second Punic War.
Scipio Africanus and Fabius Maximus both contributed to the course of the Second Punic War, although their victories were different, they both had success. Firstly was Fabius whose strategy, which would avoid direct contact to Hannibal, with dismay from many of Fabiuses peers. In contrast Scipio’s ability to learn from Hannibal’s tactics and derive a strategy that would end up with what was thought impossible, Hannibal’s end.
Fabius Maximus had continuous criticism from his peers on his strategy, which was considered cowardly “ Meanwhile in Italy the skilful delaying tactics of Fabius had achieved a brief respite from the non-stop run of Roman military disasters” quoted from Livy. His role in the course of the Second Punic War was a Dictator. Knowing of Hannibal’s military led Maximus to take a new approach, he refused to meet Hannibal in a pitched battle, hoping he would outlast him in a war of attrition, Hannibal foraging parties were harassed, which limited Hannibal’s ability to wreak destruction, this favoured Maximus’s soldiers. Maximus navigated his way through the hills Livy: 'Fabius kept on high ground, at a moderate distance from the enemy, so that he never lost sight of him and never closed with him'. Hannibal’s Calvary were terrorised, enemy supplies were cut off and harassed him, also implanting the “ scorched earth tactics” to prevent Hannibal from gaining grain and resources. Maximus’s contribution to the course of the Second Punic War was very significant as he helped bring Hannibal to his end.
In contrast Scipio Africanus’s contribution to the Second Punic War was more substantial and recognised. Firstly we are introduced to Scipio when he saves his Father at the Ticinus River. Experiencing Hannibal’s tactics first hand would given Scipio a greater advantage later on. Scipio’s firstly victory was when he managed to severely weaken Hasbrudal’s
Scipio Africanus and Fabius Maximus both contributed to the course of the Second Punic War, although their victories were different, they both had success. Firstly was Fabius whose strategy, which would avoid direct contact to Hannibal, with dismay from many of Fabiuses peers. In contrast Scipio’s ability to learn from Hannibal’s tactics and derive a strategy that would end up with what was thought impossible, Hannibal’s end.
Fabius Maximus had continuous criticism from his peers on his strategy, which was considered cowardly “ Meanwhile in Italy the skilful delaying tactics of Fabius had achieved a brief respite from the non-stop run of Roman military disasters” quoted from Livy. His role in the course of the Second Punic War was a Dictator. Knowing of Hannibal’s military led Maximus to take a new approach, he refused to meet Hannibal in a pitched battle, hoping he would outlast him in a war of attrition, Hannibal foraging parties were harassed, which limited Hannibal’s ability to wreak destruction, this favoured Maximus’s soldiers. Maximus navigated his way through the hills Livy: 'Fabius kept on high ground, at a moderate distance from the enemy, so that he never lost sight of him and never closed with him'. Hannibal’s Calvary were terrorised, enemy supplies were cut off and harassed him, also implanting the “ scorched earth tactics” to prevent Hannibal from gaining grain and resources. Maximus’s contribution to the course of the Second Punic War was very significant as he helped bring Hannibal to his end.
In contrast Scipio Africanus’s contribution to the Second Punic War was more substantial and recognised. Firstly we are introduced to Scipio when he saves his Father at the Ticinus River. Experiencing Hannibal’s tactics first hand would given Scipio a greater advantage later on. Scipio’s firstly victory was when he managed to severely weaken Hasbrudal’s