Hannibal Barca, Pride of Carthage, crossing the Alps

Hannibal is considered one of the most important military strategists in history. During the Second Punic War, Hannibal embarked on a military endeavor of extraordinary audacity. His plan? To conquer Rome by leading his army of 38 elephants, and 100,000 soldiers, including North Africans and Iberians, across the treacherous Alps. Hannibal managed to reach Italy and conquer it until he reached the gate of Rome, which was not prepared for the siege. The only legions available were in Hispania, and the generals who could lead a desperate resistance were weeks away. But Hannibal decided not to take the city and headed south. Rome gathered a new army of eighty thousand men to confront Hannibal on the plain of Cannae. The inequality of troops was three to one in favor of the Romans. But, despite this, Hannibal managed to surround the enemy army and annihilate it. The Battle of Cannae is remembered as one of the greatest wonders of military strategy of all time.