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Hannibal and siegecraft
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08-13-2009, 06:47 PM
Serge Lancelle and Dexter Hoyos wrote that Hannibal was not as keen in siegecraft as in field battles. What do the participants of forum think of this? Was Hannibal really a bad besieger?
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08-13-2009, 07:48 PM
I can't really recall that Hannibal ever properly besieged a town?
Robert Vermaat
MODERATOR FECTIO Late Romans THE CAUSE OF WAR MUST BE JUST (Maurikios-Strategikon, book VIII.2: Maxim 12)
08-14-2009, 01:33 AM
Certainly, Hannibal wasn't in a good situation to start major sieges during his time in Italy. He had only one army, while the Romans could raise several and replace their losses. So if he got involved in a lengthy siege, he had to risk heavy casualties from wounds and disease and worry about a Roman army attacking him while he was busy with the town. So it might not be skill as much as his situation?
Nullis in verba
I have not checked this forum frequently since 2013, but I hope that these old posts have some value. I now have a blog on books, swords, and the curious things humans do with them. 
08-14-2009, 04:59 AM
I think it just depended upon each individual situation. I believe Hannibal used siege warfare at Saguntum in Spain and Tarentum, at least.
David J. Cord
www.davidcord.com 
08-14-2009, 05:38 AM
I'd like to point out that our own Duncan Campbell wrote an article on exactly that subject in the latest Ancient Warfare.
08-14-2009, 06:57 AM
Anyone who has visited the citadel overlooking Saguntum will know that to all intents and purposes it could be regarded as impregnable.....it was vast, standing atop vertical cliffs, had ample water supplies and even plenty of space to grow crops and grazing.....Saguntines and Romans alike must have been very confident it would hold out, yet much to everone's surprise, Hannibal took it !
Hannibal did in fact carry out sieges during his long rampage in Italy, some very successful, but his situation, as has been pointed out, was hardly conducive to siege operations........
"dulce et decorum est pro patria mori " - Horace
(It is a sweet and proper thing to die for ones country) "No son-of-a-bitch ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country" - George C Scott as General George S. Patton Paul McDonnell-Staff 
08-14-2009, 10:27 AM
Quote:I'd like to point out that our own Duncan Campbell wrote an article on exactly that subject in the latest Ancient Warfare.Go on -- pick up a copy! :lol: 
08-14-2009, 10:54 AM
Quote:Anyone who has visited the citadel overlooking Saguntum will know that to all intents and purposes it could be regarded as impregnable.....it was vast, standing atop vertical cliffs, had ample water supplies and even plenty of space to grow crops and grazing.....Saguntines and Romans alike must have been very confident it would hold out, yet much to everone's surprise, Hannibal took it ! G'day Paullus , totally agree , I must ask for subscribtion to Ancient warfare for Fathers day TOO :lol: 8)
Hannibal ad portas ! Dave Bartlett . " War produces many stories of fiction , some of which are told until they are believed to be true." U S Grant
08-14-2009, 04:20 PM
Quote:I'd like to point out that our own Duncan Campbell wrote an article on exactly that subject in the latest Ancient Warfare. Looks interesting. Who wrote the artical on forging a gladius?
Visne partem mei capere? Comminus agamus! * Me semper rogo, Quid faceret Iulius Caesar? * Confidence is a good thing! Overconfidence is too much of a good thing.
[b]Legio XIIII GMV. (Q. Magivs)RMRS Remember Atuatuca! Vengence will be ours! Titus Flavius Germanus Batavian Coh I Byron Angel |
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