Why did They do that? ... Takes on the Punic Wars
by David E. Woody, Parkersburg Catholic High School, WV
Original text © 2000 David E. Woody

One of history's great moments surrounds the conflict between Hannibal of Carthage, and the Roman Empire. Because of Hannibal's aggressiveness and militaristic philosophy, as well as a promise made to his father, these two great civilizations came into conflict in terrible and destructive ways. Your mission in this simulation is to learn about Hannibal and his Roman adversaries by making the same choices they made, and observing the results.

You may choose either Hannibal or the Roman Generals, after which you will be given a set of choices from key moments in the conflict. If you make a choice other than that made by the historical characters, you will find a description of what might have happened had they chosen that option. Then you will be directed to another decision. If you choose the same option they chose, you will be told about the result, and then proceed. In the end, you should learn about Hannibal and Carthaginian society, as well as gaining insights into Rome and Roman values in these wars.  Let's begin with some background.