Hannibal’s War Elephants

This occurred in 218 BC, kicking off the Second Punic War between the two Mediterranean powers of the period, Rome and Carthage. The Romans had won the First Punic War, in which Hannibal's father, Hamilcar, served as a general. When Hannibal decided to go to war, he wanted to do something daring and unexpected: he wanted to cross the Alps and march straight into Italy, avoiding the Roman Navy and its allied garrisons.

Crossing the Alps with an army was deemed impossible at the time, and even Hannibal found the voyage dangerous. They were ambushed and harried by Gaulic tribes on the ascent, while the descent was full of tiny, icy trails that caused many people to fall to their deaths. And if that wasn't perilous enough, Hannibal did it all while being accompanied by dozens of elephants.

However, the hazardous gamble paid off. Hannibal arrived in Italy in December and battled the Romans at the Battle of Trebbia. The roughly three dozen war elephants performed admirably, scaring the enemy horses and causing complete pandemonium among the Roman cavalry, resulting in a decisive Carthaginian victory.

Date: 218 BC