Roman Siegecraft

[caldrail]

Hannibal had good reasons not to stay in place. During the trek across the alps he had a meeting with his commanders about the lack of food. One of them suggested to Hannibal that they teach their men to eat human flesh and enjoy it. Hannibal refused this source of nourishment, but his army suffered horribly from starvation. He simply didn't want to have to find food for thousands of soldiers for months on end. Remember that he had no supply trains, he was foraging locally. In actual fact, in his case some of the intended besieged may have been better off.

[M. Porcius Cato]

Hannibal had good reasons not to stay in place. During the trek across the alps he had a meeting with his commanders about the lack of food. One of them suggested to Hannibal that they teach their men to eat human flesh and enjoy it.

 

Doesn't this sound like Roman propaganda to you? What is the likelihood that any of the Romans were around to hear this conversation? I grant that it's not impossible, but it does seem very highly unlikely.

[caldrail]

Unlikely? I understand your point of view and you may well be right. But put yourself in Hannibals place. He's committed himself to marching across the alps to outflank the romans. Its not a cakewalk by any means, and he's suffered losses of men, horses, and elephants on the way. If he gives up, his credibility is ruined and the romans remain in a strong strategic position. If he carries on, he MUST find food or his expedition is doomed. One of his commanders is not as moral as the others. Notice that this commander makes the suggestion, and is clearly overruled. It would've have been more convincing if his commander had been given a few sharp words about morality but Hannibal isn't portrayed as considering this idea.

Edited July 30, 2006 by caldrail