Causes Of The Second Punic War By Livy

Livy describes The Second Punic War as being Rome’s greatest conflict. Also known as Hannibal’s War, it is true, after reviewing the numbers lost on both sides and the length of the conflict that this statement by Livy is a true one. Why was the conflict sought out and who started the war? Livy is the greatest source on the topic. Based on the information that Livy provides, Hannibal’s destiny leads to his actions that caused The Second Punic War. Hannibal was Rome’s strongest enemy in its history. Hannibal would bring Rome to its knees before the war’s end.
Hannibal’s hatred for Rome began early in his life. At the age of 9, Hamilcar, Hannibal’s father, had made plans to start a new life for the Barca family in Spain. Before Hamilcar and his sons left, Hannibal was taken to an altar and made to swear that he would make Rome his enemy as soon as the
At the time Rome was a developed diplomatic entity that had connections across the known world. Due to this aspect Rome was an ally of both Carthage and Saguntum, so coming to the aid of one would mean going against the other, although Rome would have met the requirements of Fetial Law, that otherwise restricted war without reason. Rome was also restricted by the Ebro River Treaty that stated no Roman force could cross into southern Spain where Saguntum lied. Due to these complications, Rome instead of sending troops, sends an embassy to Saguntum and to Carthage to learn what has happened.
When the Roman embassy arrived in Carthage they were meet by hostility and given the message that the people of Saguntum initiated the war and that Rome should support its long-term allies, the Carthaginians, rather than the city that lied in the Carthaginian territory. It is true that Carthage and Rome had been allies long before this conflict, but Rome could not ignore the rash actions of Hannibal and demanded that he be given to the Romans and