Punic Wars - Part VI - Delenda Est Carthago 

Thanks!! I agree ;) The punic wars have everything - a massive war, huge empires, the known world at stake, rival families, and the best generals of antiquity squaring off against each other.

Great thought!... much better than so many others. I would binge watch and listen to Flash Point History till the end.

Roman empire leaders said that they will delete black Carthaginians people from history with the DNA of black Egyptian. Roman empire leaders were racist! Roman empire leaders were racist and had a belief that one race is superior to others. And their deleted black Egyptian and black Carthaginians from the history. But the Roman's racist leaders did not delete everything from black Carthaginians people, and we can still see the gold Carthaginians coins and African elephant's with lots of green food for the elephant's in the battle of Zama, but let's keep the lies between us for the superior race the Roman racist leaders and they copied everything from the black Carthaginians history. The Gold coins back in 216 BC with black face on coins.

Mate so would've the battle of Diu and its not even mentioned in portuguese schools properly... Sad stuff but at least we all know here how good this series is!

Jonny B The funniest thing the Roman leaders said about the black Carthaginians that they got no language in Carthage but they have gold coins in the world, hahahaha that one was funny, why soo much hate from Rome?

I agree - they both served with distinction and the world got to witness true military genius - but at the end their brilliance was ignored and they were both cast aside as rubbish

The dirty buisness of Politics still has a living streak going on in our times.

BTW how old was the Cathegeons empire from when it was first established the end at Hanibals time and did they have the Phonecian language as lingua franka or was it a Berber comon language and Phonecian courts and official language and did Berbers exist at that time? Please?

From what I understand, Carthage was 800 years old by Hannibal's time. I don’t know the rest.

I know right? Two genius men who despite being on the opposite side of a political divide could have easily have been the closest of friends.

I am so happpy that you liked the series! The Punic Wars were such an epic time period. When I started, the podcast, it was meant to be an audio only podcast - designed for people to listen to while commuting, or working out, etc. The next series awaits. All the best!

Flash Point History So what's next on your agenda? Maybe one day you can do the Gallic Wars and put your spin on that too.

I think a series on Caesar is definitely in the works. First need to get though medieval Spain and the Aztec.

Hahhaha - that’s what I love so much about history, it’s replete with irony.

Well, it's not like the Romans invented the way history is written. From the first forms of writing, from stone to paper, except for some chronicles narrated by neighbors to the events, the history that survived has been the one left by those who won.

@@klarahvar746 Not necessarily. Specially during roman times. A lot of history is written by the losers. The history we got is the History that survived. A lot of emperor's history is written by members of the senatorial class that despised them and exaggerated their ills, yet Rome in the end was an empire. In modern times we got the same. A lot of German military history during WW2 was written by German generals and is what is used by the official military history of the war.

I'm so happy that you like this. Have you seen that series on HBO - Rome? You might like it as well

Thanks!

Thank you! Saw your comment on the last video as well. Happy to see you made it through the entire series!

Yay, thank you! Did you make it through all of the videos up until this point?

ChrisLunaALcohol majestic

Glad you enjoyed it!

Seems like that sentiment resounds through out history - people always root for the defeated.

Again, I’m so happy you liked this series! The seeds of Rome’s destruction were planted here. The idea of a popular general. The need for audacity in combat and out of box thinking. Scipio was a master battlefield commander but was a terrible politician. I wonder how things would have turned out if he possessed Ceasar’s Level of political cunning. In either case you’re right, The Punic Wars were the standard that Rome had to set herself up against. It was the closest she had come to being destroyed - with an enemy literally on her gate. After that war, Pandora’s box was open and it was only a matter of time before someone became emperor. And then only a matter of time before it would all fall under ineffectual rule.

I couldn’t agree more. This absolutely shaped Rome’s destiny. I would argue that Roman cultural values were permanently altered by winning this war in the particular way that it did: Romans seemed to have been almost purely shaped by direct, permanent responses to any threat to their existence. They seem to have begun the conquest of the tribes of Italy as way of preventing the constant threat of losing their particularly valuable piece of land. When they found the Samnites had an advantage over their Roman hoplites, they adopted the Maniplular Legion like it was there from the start. When Carthage challenged them for Sicily, they went from having practically no navy to building an entire fleet within a year and innovating methods that would defeat the greatest naval power in existence. I would argue, that Scipio’s method of success might be the only reason they became so expansionistic, and thus able to ever become a land empire beyond eliminating threats from neighbor states. Imagine if the Fabian Strategy worked to completion? Imagine if Hannibal’s army dried up and he was simply forced to return to Carthage with his own city losing the will to engage Rome further. Rome may have easily become the Afghanistan or Vietnam of the Mediterranean. A nation that knew its best method for survival was to discourage their enemies by making war with them to be impossibly tedious. Such a victory would have also left Carthage intact and Rome could have easily adopted a policy of becoming a trade empire that remained content with holding only the land it could control under threats as great as Hannibal. Sort of like the Venetian Empire if it had an entire peninsula. I think it’s entirely possible. Instead, Africanus showed Rome that tactical ingenuity, improved discipline of troops, and aggressive strikes at the heart of their enemies could leave Rome not only intact, but more prosperous as it seized the land of its defeated rival. A very un-Scipio move was the razing of Carthage decades later. When the Empire eventually came to be and then finally split into east and west, having a subjugated but INTACT Carthage might have given the Western Empire the benefit of easily held trade revenue that benefited the Eastern Empire with the Silk Road. Anyway, I’m in a speculative mood after just watching the (unexpected to me) 7th installment of your phenomenal series that dabbles in the possibilities of Rome losing this war. I enjoyed it tremendously and I insist to anyone who for some reason might be reading this comment but somehow be on the fence about supporting more of this channel’s excellent work, that you watch that next installment and enjoy the product of this man’s extensive expertise and creativity.

You got chills and thrills too much to be straight.

Yeah it was some insane amount - yet Carthage paid it off in no time and then had money left over to rebuild

I mean a Roman talent is about 72 lbs of Gold, so yeah, quite a sum indeed, luckily Hispania had Silver and Gold mines, ironically like the New World of the Ancient World

Ironically the Germans were obliged to pay a huge war indemnity after WW1. This was one of the claimed reasons for WW2

Krisi - you are absolutely right. Rome went from an Italian power to a World power in the Punic Wars. Granted, some would argue that this would have happened either way. However the magnitude of the transformation, Rome's proximity to nearly being destroyed, and the rigors it endured during these wars completely changed its world view. I would say she quickly arose to the occasion and developed all the items that you have so astutely stated - i.e. standing armies, navies, logistics etc. However, ironically, its downfall was also inscribed in its ascendency. Rome promoted a leadership that needed to be taken (seized) by a soldier who excelled at politics and who knew how to endear the love of the people. Hence a Julius Ceasar was needed. Thus through the baptism of fire that was Rome's civil wars the path to single person rule was establish with her rebirth as empire. Then all that is needed are a few bad emperors and the system goes into decline. Well said Krisi!

The same fate will face the US after the Soviet Union collapsed. It has already started to devour itself and its provinces. Corruption, the elite stealing all the resources, inflation and total decadence. It's even fighting an illusion of an enemy.

​@@carpetclimber4027Don't say such things, I mean the US technically lost the war in Afghanistan, and they're still here. Soviets lost in Afghanistan too, and they DID collapse shortly after

Thank you! Cheers!

So happy that you liked it! Did you watch the entire thing? Impressive if you did

I like this!

Nice - his work is really good. Try Barry Strauss's "masters of command" if you can find it. It compares and contrasts the leadership skills and military prowess of Alexander, Caesar, and Hannibal.

@@FlashPointHx Will do! Thanks!

Thank you! The next one is on Cortez - however I might do a bonus episode

it was good however i was somewhat sad that you did not go into length about Hannibal life after he was betrayed by Carthage. How he actually continued to fight and offer his services as a general and not just live as a mere futigive. He actually build a city in modern day Turkey. Would have been nice to also speak of Mago end but i guess the series is more about the Punic wars and not just the Barcas. We don't know as much about him as we would like to. Did he have children? what happened to his estates. Also he was very cunning and had to trick his way out of carthage by fooling some sailors...perhaps you can do one on his life..anyway good series..i enjoyed it..i would ask for Spartacus next

No time for everything or else this would have been at least another hour. Yes, Hannibal did push Antiochus to war and even commanded a portion of his fleet. As for Mago - I mentioned him towards the end of the last episode.

Thank you so much for this - IKR? Take a listen to my Reconquista - the Next Gen video. Its game of thrones on steroids

caustic?

@@FlashPointHx "Hollow-Caustic"

Agree. Or perhaps Rome just didn't like lose ends

@@FlashPointHx Look at how we are acting in America. Talking of attacking Mexico using a drug problem to justify it. Our debt fueled reserve currency and hegemony has really gone to our head. A nation of Catos. Let's hope we don't end up like Tenochtitlan.

Wow - thanks - thats impressive. D Carlin was one of my inspirations. Good to know I'm in that caliber. Yeah the punic wars were just epic - not just two massive powers, but two powerful families fighting to the death

@@FlashPointHxyou're absolutely right - so epic! keep up the good work man :) are you going to do a series on the mongols? And what does becoming a patron unlock? Is there extra content?

@@Caesar-ww3yp I was thinking Mughals instead - seems the Mongols have been done to death. As for Patreon - right now I only have bandwidth to create the content that I can make. I do this for everyone's benefit - can't really hang my head around exclusive content.

You can do both. I’m a big fan of Adrian Goldsworthy and he uses the first.

Aurelian is my favorite Emperor tbh he was not the Emperor for a long time but what he achieved in 5 years is mind blowing

There have been some pretty amazing people who weren’t rulers.

John Verlenden not the point

Wow, nice analysis. I’d have to say that Hannibal did the best with what he had. His biggest problems were 1) he had little cavalry and his usual audacity of movement was limited. 2) most of troops were 2nd rate. Flanking would have been difficult when the opponent held the superiority in this area. Granted the cavalry was driven from the field. But then he had those crummy troops making up his first and second line. Had he attempt to pull a Battle of Ilipa and use his elite veterans in a flanking maneuver, he would have left his center weak - and if you recall, these troops began to rout and were only stabilized by his vets who had to lower their Spears to keep them in formation. Even despite this, the battle was close until the Roman Cav returned - a testament to brave last battle. I take it you’re a Punic wars fan?

Yeah, the man fascinates me funny thing is I consider myself a pacifist."We will find a way or make one" is a motto to live by.Balls of steel mixed with calculated risk taking.I'd follow him in 218 BC just to hear him bark orders! I particularly enjoyed your analysis of Scipio the Younger and how he evolved as a commander in Spain.Sources say he was a gifted general but I always wondered what has he done.I thought it was just Roman propaganda since Polybius was on the Scipio's payroll.After listening how the Republic managed the crisis post Cannae I've felt newfound respect for the Romans.They truly had what it took to dominate the Mediterranean. Speaking of Greeks here's an idea: why don't you do a podcast about the Peloponnesian war (it's classic) or the life and deeds of Pyrrhus of Epirus, after all Hannibal thought highly of him and his life in general is rife with drama.The Wars of the Diadochi maybe? Indeed starting with the death of Alexander and finishing with the tile in Argos would be both educational and entertaining. Looking forward to your War of the Worlds series!

I know exactly how you feel. Hannibal was a genius. A friend of mine named Ryan Stitt has a podcast that covers the time periods you mentioned - they are not youtube videos but just audio. His podcast is named History of Ancient Greece. It might be awhile before I can pick up a new subject as I’m in the middle of Medieval Spain in the 10th and 11th centuries right now. Let me know what you think of the War of the Worlds - and if you liked Hannibal, tell me what you think of Khalid ibn Al-Walid

Sure it's a deal!

I could understand why Cato's friends would stop coming over to visit

Thank you!

Yoo Same

As always - I'm so happy that you like my videos / podcast. I'll try to make another one in Feburary - but after that I'll need to take a break from podcasting for a few months to work on some other projects at home.

Keep it up, I'm inviting everyone I know global or local into watching this, these podcasts are aweinspiringly magnificent

Happy that you liked the series! Sorry about the miss pronunciations, this was when I was starting off. It does get better.

Henry - I’m very happy you enjoyed the podcast. The time period is interesting enough that the narrative essentially wrote itself. I agree that Patton is a fascinating character - a reincarnated warrior destined to be key strategist (or at least in the company of one) during each life. I’m currently in the middle of the Islamic Conquest and will go up to the Aztec / Inca which will be a year long endeavor. But, Patton would make a good topic - who could resist a man who was renowned for his historical insight, his love for the engagement, and for saying that,” the purpose of war isn’t to die for your country - it’s to make the other dumb bastard die for his country.”

Nice! That’s hardcore - Seven hours of hearing me go on and on and on - impressive !

Love this comment - posted it on my twitter feed

They did - but then there wasn’t much drama

Well happy that you made it this far - seems like you got one episode left to go

Appreciate that

Yes - he was cunning and resourceful. He used audacity and movement along with employing the natural ground to stunning effect. Every general since has wanted to use his envelopment tactics. I’d be shocked to find any book on military tactics without mentioning Hannibal

no doubt

Really happy you liked my content - yes, the Punic Wars were just an incredible time period in history

Wow you’ve binged your way through the entire thing huh?

@@FlashPointHx yup and I've also completed The Age of Dicscovery and The Reconquista! Listening to these while I work has been an amazing adventure. I wish you had more! I guess I'm going to have to do what I always do and replay them until they're committed to memory.

Jason - I'm psyched you're into it. Hopefully I can get my next podcast episode out next week. All the best!

Loved this comment - posted it on my twitter feed

I loved east Africa! It was absolutely beautiful out there. I was mostly in Tanzania however. We did do a considerable amount of Safari and were close to the Kenyan border. Amazing time!

yes ..did you visit the Serengeti perhaps? Kenya has some good safari experiences in Maasai Mara Tsavo national park ( the lion man eater location which the movie ghost and darkness is based on) and of course Mombasa. I recommend it

We did the Serengeti and Lake Manyara. However my favorite was the Ngorongoro Crater. I've always wanted to take the train from Cape to Cairo - it would hit Tsavo I believe.

Happy you liked it!

Thank you!

Cato the Elder was a terrible human being and a waste of perfectly good oxygen.

Cato the Elder came from a plebeian background, but he had as much hatred within himself as so many aristocrats (whom he claimed to despise, but with whom he did not hesitate to ally at his convenience): he despised the Greeks in general, he hated Scipio Africanus and he dedicated himself to persecute and instigate against him from very early, he was one of the greatest instigators of the Third Punic War,

what Hannibal accomplished for cartage was its total annulation and the end of cartage to this day Hannibal died in frustration and a loser with his dreams of victory dying with him. remember he who laughs last laughs best

johnny brize did your country ever produced a man like hannibal? Who and what did he do? Let's compare him to hannibal step by step.all generals today and for the last 2200 respect hannibal and study his action.tell me of one man of your country that never lost a battle in Europe.hannibal fought in Spain Germany France and Italy and never lost a battle. That means he never lost a battle in Europe.he made the Romans dig holes in the ground n buried their heads in it like ostriches.tell me of one man of your race that never lost a battle in Europe and made the mighty Romans ostriches.good luck inferior boy.the only reason hannibal didn't destroy Rome because he didn't get reinforcements. He was betrayed by carthage. The only reason hannibal lost in zama because he got jumped from the back by King massinisa while he was beating the Romans again.carthage still exists today and it is a Muslim carthage. The Muslims took it from the Romans 1400 years ago.the Romans couldn't take it back.hahahahaha.

This is hyperbole: I hope it's mean to be provocative and not to be taken at face value: Carthage was very influential on Rome with respect to maritime capabilities and ship building. Teaching them everything they know? That is an immensely broad generalization and profoundly inaccurate.

Also, Carthage's influence on Rome was essentially non-existent compared to the that of the Etruscans and Greeks. You're right that Carthage's main influence on Rome was its Navy and everyone knows that Carthage was the greatest seafaring empire in antiquity. Hannibal had always relied heavily on cavalry in all of his victories. The one battle he did not enjoy this superiority, he was defeated. Scipio typically fought against enemies with superior cavalry and was able to neutralize or overcome this disadvantage. Generalizations are self-defeating: context is clarity and always trumps all or nothing gemeralizations.

@@sl-tx2uwand yes, I respect Hannibal but some people get carried away by their effusive praise for him.

You wound me sir! Wound me! :)

@@FlashPointHx "I prefer to do right and get no thanks than do wrong and receive no punishment."- Cato the Elder. Delenda est Flash Point History.:)

Most of the evil in this world is done by people with good intentions. T.S. Eliot. Why propose genocide repeatedly ? Why not integration into a better whole. Julius Ceasar saw this 100 years after Carthage fell and was responsible for resounding the city. That is the mark of a genius mind.

@@FlashPointHx I agree with the more enlightened approach but antiquity was not forgiving. Hypothetically if the carthagenians ever sacked Rome, I doubt the fate of the Romans would have been different than what happened to carthage. Delenda est flash point history.:)

@@rustyshackleford2719 But thats not a good argument. The mark of an enlightened nation is one that takes the high road - not our enemies would have enslaved and destroyed us. “In War, Resolution; In Defeat, Defiance; In Victory, Magnanimity; and in Peace, Good Will.” - W. Churchill

Glad you enjoyed it!

Hey thanks - happy you liked it

The Carthaginians didn't forget

To be honest I’m not sure. The sources that I read were not specific.

@@FlashPointHx Lot's of questions. I suppose they could have been garrisoned on Sicily, trained to keep their edge. I can't imagine the Roman Senate paying to keep them alive without some sort of return service. 8,000 hungry, unhappy and unoccupied trained killers does not sound like a good thing. Just guessing as to number. Your description of the fall of Carthage was chilling. I try to picture the teen-age(?) Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus amid all that carnage.

Thank you! That’s high praise indeed

Hey - as always, you are so welcome! Thanks for watching my series so far!

Ha!

You should look up their meeting much later at a party of Mithridates I believe, Scipio asks Hannibal who the best generals are in his mind, as expected he doesn't get the answer he wanted

@@thatguy6919 I mention that in this video

It’s Beethoven’s Egmont . Thank you, I’m glad you liked the series.

Reminds me of the family guy episode - Iraq Lobster - watch that

@@FlashPointHx lol that was indeed epic, funny and true.

Happy you liked it

thats an incredible synopsis - thing you nailed it on many points. these two men could easily have been great friends in another time and place. Cheers my friend, you made it to the end - you listened to me go on for over 7 hours!

kw19193 ok you make your own videos and see if you can get close to what this guy did.

Imagine the battle but with the Numidians on Hannibal’s side

hahaha ! You crack me up. I'm glad you liked the show and the voice

Do you have a patreon?

Oh yeah - posted it just a bit ago: www.patreon.com/FPHx

It was part of their DNA - their government breed ruthlessness into their leadership - only a matter of time till you had a Sulla Ceasar or Octavian

I am so happy that you liked my video - but just a one man op here =)