Hannibal Barca and his elephants crossing the Alps is still a fascinating and exciting story after over 2,000 years. Why he did it and how he did it, still impresses and baffles modern historians. Yet, the Punic Wars are far more than just ‘Hannibal’s war’. Three major conflicts were fought for domination of the ancient Mediterranean, with the Roman Republic becoming an ancient ‘superpower’ and the city of Carthage laid waste. Explore this epic conflict through the surviving written and archaeological evidence. Answer some key questions: Why and how were the Punic Wars fought? How did Rome emerge victorious after some of its bloodiest defeats, such as Cannae where 50,000 Romans were killed in a single day? Who was Hannibal and why did the Romans fear him long after his death? Learn through illustrated lectures and online resources.

This class is part of the 'CLL Live and Online' programme.