Scipio Africanus - Part 9 (Victories and Reversals)

Between 212 and 210 BC, the Second Punic War enters a volatile phase, as triumph and catastrophe hit the Republic in rapid succession. Hannibal wins major victories, yet fails to stop Rome’s momentum as Syracuse falls and pressure mounts on Carthaginian allies. In a desperate bid to save Capua, Hannibal marches on Rome, but fails to divert the Legions from reasserting control across nearly every front. Until disaster strikes in Spain upon the deaths of Scipio’s father and uncle. Driving the young Scipio to politically outmaneuver the Senate and secure his first full military command in Hispania. If you would like to support my work directly, you can kindly do so here: www.patreon.com/warlordsofhistory Follow the Warlords of History Podcast on Social Media: Instagram | Twitter (X) | Facebook Maps, imagery and bonus content: www.warlordsofhistory.com

In this episode, we explore Rome's spectacular resurgence in 214 BC as it began to turn the tide of the Second Punic War. Through key victories abroad and sweeping economic reforms at home, how the Republic sustained its unprecedented buildup of Legions, that in 213 BC started clawing back lost ground from Hannibal in southern Italy. Undeniable momentum, fueling a renewed surge of confidence in Rome, while also setting the stage for a bold political maneuver by the young and ambitious Scipio, who audaciously defied Roman tradition to secure his first public office. If you would like to support my work directly, you can kindly do so here: patreon.com/warlordsofhistory

In 215 BC as Scipio witnesses his city's desperate struggle to stave off collapse and rebuild its shattered military, Rome focuses its Legions on holding the line against Hannibal in Campania. Only to see its prospects in the Second Punic War grow darker when two foreign powers, Macedon and Syracuse, form alliances with Carthage to bring the Republic to its knees. Triggering the eruption of new theatres of war engulfing much of the Western Mediterranean and despite some surprising successes abroad, the Romans unable to stop Hannibal from conquering more of southern Italy. If you would like to support my work directly, you can kindly do so here: patreon.com/warlordsofhistory Check out A History of Italy podcast: ahistoryofitaly.com

With Hannibal having shattered Rome's image as a dominant power at the Battle of Cannae, the cities of southern Italy begin forming alliances with Carthage, bringing the Republic close to collapse in 216 BC. Yet, with the Roman Senate remaining defiant, refusing to accept anything less than total victory in the Second Punic War. Driving them to desperate extremes to assemble new Legions amidst horrific casualties, a ruined economy, food shortages and mass allied defections. This, while Scipio and the surviving troops from Cannae are marched to Campania to prevent the region from falling to Hannibal. If you would like to support my work directly, you can kindly do so here: patreon.com/warlordsofhistory Check out the Ancient Heroes podcast: ancientheroes.net

With Scipio as the youngest Military Tribune in the largest army ever fielded by the Roman Republic, this incredible force descends upon Apulia where Hannibal and the Carthaginians await. Leading to the Battle of Cannae, fought on August 2, 216 BC, as we dive into the tactics and maneuvers that would ultimately produce Rome's greatest military disaster. Also leaving 8,000 soldiers trapped within the lone standing Roman encampment, the point at which Scipio arose to lead them to safety through a daring night escape, before crushing a plot among the despairing survivors to desert the Republic. If you would like to support my work directly, you can kindly do so here: patreon.com/warlordsofhistory Check out The Industrial Revolutions podcast: industrialrevolutionspod.com

In this friendly takeover of the Warlords of History Podcast airwaves, the History Daily podcast hosted by Lindsay Graham is featured. Taking you through one of the most pivotal moments in history, which set into motion the series of events that would proceed to rip the Roman Republic apart, leading to its demise and ultimately, its rebirth as the Roman Empire. When on January 10th 49 BC, a provincial governor named Julius Caesar marched his army across the Rubicon river and invaded Italy, plunging the Roman Republic into civil war. Check out the Daily History website: www.historydaily.com

As Scipio takes part in Rome's zealous religious efforts to turn the tide of the Second Punic War, the Republic fails to look inwards, seeing the deficits among its Generals. That Hannibal continues to exploit, invading Central Italy before drawing the Legions into a devastating ambush at the Battle of Lake Trasimene. Driving Rome to adopt the Fabian Strategy to stop the Carthaginian threat, that although promising, is quickly tossed aside in 216 BC. As Rome begins amassing an unprecedented force to deliver a knockout blow to Hannibal, with Scipio as the youngest Military Tribune therein. If you would like to support my work directly, you can kindly do so here: patreon.com/warlordsofhistory Check out The Second World War podcast: The Second World War I'm proud to announce that Warlords of History has been included on Feedspot's list of the Best Military History Podcasts to follow in 2024. You can access the entire list here: podcasts.feedspot.com/military_history_podcasts

With Hannibal continuing to tip the scales of power in the Po Valley, the young Scipio bears witness to treacherous setbacks as Rome's authority in the region unravels. Before being forced to abandon the north due to Hannibal's crushing defeat of the Roman Legions at the Battle of the Trebia in late 218 BC. Resulting in Scipio retreating to Rome to find his city feverishly raising new armies, however with the populace also deeply unsettled by a series of dark omens sent from the gods. Soon cascading into a sense of panic, upon learning the news of another military disaster at the Battle of Lake Trasimene. If you would like to support my work directly, you can kindly do so here: patreon.com/warlordsofhistory Check out the So There I Was podcast: sothereiwas.us

While fighting the Gallic tribes to assert control over northern Italy, the Roman Republic becomes distracted to the power that Carthage begins amassing in Spain. Until the legendary Carthaginian General, Hannibal Barca, storms onto the scene to ignite the Second Punic War. In 218 BC, leading his army in an incredible march to ultimately burst through the Alps and invade Italy, before delivering a stinging defeat upon the Romans at the Battle of Ticinus. Where the young Scipio would lay witness to Hannibal's terrifying tactical genius, yet bravely charge into the battle to save his father's life. If you would like to support my work directly, you can kindly do so here: patreon.com/warlordsofhistory Check out the Warrior Legacy Podcast: Warrior Legacy Podcast

Joined by Elliot Gates from the Anthology of Heroes podcast, we reach the conclusion of our story on Leonidas I. Under the shadow of the Achaemenid Persian Empire's enormous second invasion of Greece, we explore the strategy and actions of the Spartan King leading to the Battle of Thermopylae in 480 BC. Going deep into this violently primal clash, ending in a heroic last stand for Leonidas, his 300 Spartans and allies. That, from the moment they fell, transported their sacrifice and legacy into the realm of legend, with Leonidas as the iconic standard by which all Spartans Kings were measured. If you would like to support my work directly, you can kindly do so here: patreon.com/warlordsofhistory Check out the Anthology of Heroes podcast: anthologyofheroespodcast.com