Hannibal
Description: A marble bust of Hannibal Barca found at the long ago city-state of Capua in Italy. Where: The bust is now kept in the Museo Archeologico Nazionale. What: Men and women historians are still not sure if this sculpture is real or a replica, but it is commonly known to represent Hannibal. When: It is still unknown when the bust was found. |
Summary
Hannibal Barca was a Punic Carthaginian military commander who was considered one of the greatest military commanders in history. After the war Hannibal had success running for office of suffete. Soon after fleeing from the romans he was betrayed by one of his own to the romans and committed suicide by poisoning himself. Since Hannibal was a very important man and one of the greatest military commanders, a sculpture was made to recognize his glory and significance. Analysis Hannibal was known for his military greatness and his glorious achievements. No wonder they made a sculpture of him. But how do we know that he was so great from looking at this sculpture? All we see is a stone man with no arms. The robe that he is wearing represents that he was a very important person in the city of Carthage. Also only wealthy and great men and women had sculptures made of them. Since Hannibal was so great, there had be something of representation. The headband, most likely gold or silver, also represents his wealthiness. |
About the author
Polybius was a roman historian who lived from 204 BCE to 122 BCE and witnessed the destruction of Carthage. He was born in Arcadia, Greece.
Questions
Does the author of the document have an unbiased view of these two civilizations? Why?
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According to the author of the document why do Romans win even though inferior to the Carthaginian Navy? Why do you think the author thinks this?
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The document says “Polybius is the most reliable… of the ancient historians” Polybius has a clear bias, why do you think he is still considered a reliable source?
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The author of the document, Polybius, has a bias view against the Carthaginians. Polybius was a roman citizen and had never looked at the world through the eyes of a Carthaginian.
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The author says the Romans win because they have more bravery than the Carthaginians and also the Romans fight for their families and their fatherland as oppose the the Carthaginians who are hired mercenaries. The author thinks this because he has a strong bias against the Carthaginians.
“The Carthaginians employ foreign mercenaries” “The Romans place all their confidence in their own bravery.” |
Polybius is a more reliable source than other ancient historians because he is a primary source as oppose to other historians who were not primary sources. Even though he has a clear bias, Polybius is more reliable because he lived during a portion of the Punic Wars, unlike other historians who did not live through, but just studied the topic of the Punic Wars. Specifically, he was present at both the destruction of Carthage and Corinth.
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Summary
Polybius tells us that Carthage had a slightly inferior government to the Romans during the Punic war. He then goes on to explain how Carthage’s army was made up of mercenaries while the Roman army is made up of Roman citizens who fight for their fatherland and their families.