Preparations:
Under Hannibal Carthage fought the greatest and most violent war until his time, the great punic war. The belligerents were the New Phoenician Empire against Rome and its allies.
Both sides brought into the fields new concepts and units that changed how wars are fought from now on.
Hannibal cut all expences in other sectors and funded solely the military. This displeased the scholar community which was well founded for centuries.
However, Carthaginian research didn't slow down. Phoenicians traders coming from far east extended the knowledge of Carthaginians with logistics and new cults like meditation.
Hannibal prepared the army in the position he wanted for. An amphibious sudden invasion.
The war was close. Both sides knew it so phoenician-roman trade effectively stopped.
Large carthaginian battalions invaded Roman waters and land.
Roman senated demanded that the army leave the region immediately.
Hannibal refused, so Roman senate understood that from now on Rome was formally at state of war with Phoenician Empire.
Carthaginian navy was far superior than that of the Romans, making sure that carthaginian land army could land safely near Rome.
Hannibal camped in hills north of Rome. Meanwhile the Silician army camped on the south bank of Tiber river.
At the same time, Romans recalled their units to fortify in rome.
The next day battle begun. At first, it seemed that Romans won the battle as they killed the first wave and the second.
However, carthaginian army was vast. At the third wave Romans were exhausted. After seeing the fourth and fifth wave coming they surrendered.
Rome fall in Hannibals hands, but at heavy cost.
More than hald of his army was killed.
That wasn't a problem, Hannibal knew that.
Preparation phase never stopped, homeland trained new mercenaries and soldiers to fight, while navy was ready to transport them in Rome.
Surrounding cities resisted and made a failed final attempt to attack Hannibal.
Hannibal walked arround to supress these revolts.
Latio was effectively under Hannibal's rule.
Carthaginians conquered Rome, but that wasn't the end.
All of South Italy recognised Carthage as their capital, but that wasn't the case for North Italy.
North Italian cities continue to resist phoenician rule.
Many Romans, including senators and generals, fleed to the North.
Reinforces came from homeland to continue the war at the North.
Moreover, Hannibal destroyed the iron mines that were near Rome.
Effectively limiting the ability of North to build iron weapons in large quantities.
Roman paid pirates reached Carthage and effectively destroyed many fishing boats.
Carhtaginian navy destroyed the pirates. Fortunately, Carthage could feed itsself.
