Please write a brief biography of Hannibal and explain whether or not you think his reputation (in Roman eyes) as a monster was deserved.

             Hannibal lived in the period of when the Roman Republic established more power over other great cities such as Carthage and the Hellenistic kingdoms which include Macedon, Syracuse, and the Seleucid Empire. He was born in two hundred forty eight before the Common Era and died in the year of one hundred eighty three before Common Era. Hannibal was the son of Hamilcar Barca who like him was also a Carthaginian military commander. Mago and Hasdrubal were his two younger brothers but he also had several sisters and two brothers in law, Hasdrubal the Fair and the Numidian king Naravas. It is said that his father, Hamilcar, held his son over a roaring fire in the sacrificial chamber and made him swear to never be a friend of Rome. So in the First Punic War when Carthage was defeated, Hamilcar set out to reclaim Carthage’s fortune. When his father was then killed in battle, Hasdrubal got promoted to his father’s earlier position. Hannibal then served as an officer under him. Then in two hundred twenty one before the Common Era Hannibal’s brother, Hasdrubal, was assassinated. Hannibal then took his place as commander in chief by the army. For the next two years he fought in battle for the conquest of Hispania south of the Ebro. Throughout the rest of his life, Hannibal fought and also led many battles. Some of the most memorable are the defeats and victories against the Roman Empire. Hannibal was the Roman’s biggest enemy at the time. So yes I do think that Hannibal got the reputation he deserved if only because he is the Roman’s enemy. When you have an enemy in this time or theirs, you are going to stretch the truth to your advantage. This is what I think Rome did to Hannibal.