CLASSICAL CIVILISATION AS – THE SECOND PUNIC WAR.
WHAT IS THE COURSE?
The unit you will be studying is the Second Punic War from 221-201 BC between
Rome and Carthage. We look at the causes of the war, what happened, the principal
commanders and what the results were. You will also be looking at two historians Livy
and Plutarch who wrote about the war.
WHAT IS THE EXAM LIKE?
It is examined in a 1 hour 30 minute exam in June. Question 1 is a source based
question using a written source from either Livy or Plutarch and a series of questions.
There is a choice. Question 2 is an essay with some scaffolding provided and again
there is a choice. It forms half of your AS course which is itself half of the full A level.
WHAT DO WE STUDY?
During the course we will look at the following:
1. The background and setting to the conflict. Map making. The 1st and 3rd Punic
wars.
2. The adversaries – Rome and Carthage – government, armed forces, society and
outlook.
3. The causes of the conflict – short and long term.
4. The role of Hannibal in Spain – the Roman reaction.
5. Hannibal’s march over the Alps – battles - Ticinius, Trebia, Lake Trasimeme and
Cannae.
6. The Roman reaction – role of Fabius Maximus.
7. Hannibal’s failure to capitalize on his successes.
8. The role of Scipio Africanus in attacking Spain and North Africa.
9. Hasdrubal’s attempt to reach Italy – the Battle of Metaurus.
10. Hannibal leaves Italy – the battle of Zama 202BC – Harsh peace terms imposed.
11. The character of Hannibal – strengths and weaknesses.
12. The role of Hannibal’s brother Hasdrubal.
13. An appreciation of the Roman commanders - Fabius Maximus, Scipio Africanus,
Laelius and Marcellus.
14. The role of others - Syphax Masinissa.
15. Changes in Roman policy during the war.
16. The impact of the war on Rome notably on Senatorial Government.
17. The two historians Livy and Plutarch – how reliable/useful are they?
WHAT RESOURCES CAN I USE?
BOOKS
You will be given copies of the following books
The fall of Carthage – Adrian Goldsworthy
The Punic Wars 264-146 - Nigel Bagnall
The Roman Army of the Punic Wars – Osprey
Livy, The War with Hannibal, tr. A de Sélincourt, , Books XXI, XXII,
XXIX and XXX
Plutarch, Fabius Maximus, as in Makers of Rome, tr. I Scott-Kilvert.
In addition you might want to acquire the following:
History of the Roman World - Scullard £2:99
Republican Roman Army 200-104BC – Nicholas Sekunda
The Punic Wars - Brian Caven
INTERNET RESOURCES
The following websites are regularly checked by classical scholars and are considered
to be accurate.
http://ancienthistory.about.com/library
www.classicspage.com
www.perseus.tufts.edu
www.rdg.ac.uk/classics/Link/index.ph
http://ablemedia.com/ctcweb/consortium/index.html
http://www.carthagelives.com/index.htm
Wikipedia is also a great resource and this period is very comprehensively covered. Be
aware that it can be inaccurate.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_army_of_the_mid-Republic#Senior_officers
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Republic
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punic_Wars
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Punic_War
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hannibal
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carthage
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scipio_Africanus
And numerous other ones.
DO WE USE ECOLE?
There is an ecole site which is central to the course. (Classics AS – the Punic Wars) I
will post notes and you will submit essays.
INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES
aut disce aut discede - Either learn or leave
assiduus usus uni rei deditus et ingenium et artem saepe vincit. Constant practice
devoted to one subject often outdoes both intelligence and skill.
docendo discimus - Teach in order to learn (we learn by teaching)
diligentia maximum etiam mediocris ingeni subsidium - Diligence is a very great
help even to a mediocre intelligence.
difficile est tenere quae acceperis nisi exerceas - It is difficult to retain what you
may have learned unless you should practise it.