3 replies to this topic

[Aufstand]

This is a quick intro I did. Pretty much I'm going to try and explore military doctrine by doing case studies of revolutionary generals, situations, and other such concepts. Does this sound interesting to anyone?


Military Strategy and Tactics

Hannibal Barca, Carthaginian general.

Before the actual combat is described, a general overview is necessary. The Carthaginian Empire was founded in northeastern Africa circa 800BC, at various times controlling Sicily, Corsica, Sardinia, the Balearic Islands, southern Spain and extensive coastland areas of northern Africa. The economy was sea-based, and revolved around commercial exploits. Thus, the exploratory forces and fleets were unparalleled in skill and experience. An elite group of pure Carthaginians (an oligarchy) controlled the city and government. Slaves and Africans filled most low positions, and the military, except for higher level officers, were hired mercenaries. Fundamentally then, warfare was precarious and tough resolve was hard to obtain. The elites did not have a populace willing to risk all in defense of the state, and the armies were far more devoted to money and the individual commanders than any ideals. Finally, the two dominant families in the family constantly quarreled. One had the political power, the other military command, and when the army was off campaigning, little aid or provisions were put in place to help the military. So Carthage was an immensely rich, innovative, and efficient empire with little political unity or military cohesion.

This empire encountered the rising global power of Rome. Rome was originally a poor rural community that managed to more or less unite Italy merely by constantly defending and counterattacking opponents. Without any particular plan of conquest, merely paranoia of invasion, Rome became master of Italy, and realized it was strong. Their military organization at this time was based on the citizen militia. Citizens and “allies” (conquered Italian states) were obligated to serve in the military in times of need, and obedience to the state was the highest priority. Unlike the Carthaginians, while this military may not have the initial competence, it could easily absorb brutal defeats, and resolutely plod along. With a practically limitless (in terms of the day) reserves, a strong social devotion, and a paranoid desire to conquer opponents before they could pose a threat, Rome could not allow Carthage to establish itself on the shores of Italy.

On the northeast corner of Sicily, a small strait away from Italy, a group of pirates established themselves and began to pillage the locals and attack commerce. Upon invitation by the locals, Carthage sent a force to defeat this group. Rome could not allow Carthage a foothold so close to Italy, so the First Punic War broke out. The conflict lasted over twenty years, and ended when Carthage sued for peace, not having lost the war, but just worn out by the financial costs. Sicily was given over to Rome, and the two forces began to remobilize for the next war. Ala World War I and II, the first conflict consisted of bludgeoning, exhaustion, and inconclusiveness, and the second was lightning fast with battle tactics dominating the campaign. In the twenty-three year period between the First and Second Punic Wars, the Carthaginians sought to make up for the loss of Sicily. Hannibal Barca and his father fought the tribes in Spain, and conquered the majority of the peninsula. This new “Barca Empire” provided large numbers of new recruits, and enabled the Barcas to establish a proper army, without the intrusions of the opposition family in the African territories. War broke out once again, but the overall strategies had evolved, and Hannibal Barca revolutionized strategy and tactics. This man was so accomplished in his methods, that for centuries, whenever disaster struck, the normally stoic Roman men would declare that “Hannibal is at the Gates!”

More to come...

[Red Phazon]

Finally got around to reading this. I'm glad I did though, because I completely forgot all about Carthage and those wars.

Should this be moved to The Encyclopedia? I'll move it there for now.

[Aufstand]

I've actually written more than has been posted here. I'll try to update it soon.

[Red Phazon]

Well, because I read that, it led to a few hours of studying some history. I can't believe it is already past 7:00.