World History Section
Hannibal Barca
Hannibal Barca, the great Carthagenian general, was born in Carthage in the second century BC. His father, Hamilcar Barca, lead the forces of Carthage against Rome in the First Punic War. Hamilcar was defeated, and Carthage signed a peace treaty with Rome. Hannibal and his father went to Hispania to the settlement of Carthanka. There, they gathered forces and prepared for another war against Rome. Hamilcar was killed in a skrimish with the local tribes. Hannibal, using innovation, turned his mercenaries into an elite force. He trained all his men on horseback and on foot. He re-engineered his calvary so that they were no longer dependent on the pilum(javelin, pike). Hannibal also used elephants. Hannibal gained the title "Unexpected One" because he never did what his enemies expected. After training his men, Hannibal set out east, to Rome. He crossed the Alps in the dead of winter, a feat that was near impossible and cost him heavily. But, near the River Trebbia, Hannibal surprised the Romans. He defeated them and moved on. Hannibal again clashed with the Romans at Cannae. There, though he was outnumbered, Hannibal used his strategy to rout the Romans. Hannibal confused the Roman flanks and reserves, moving them away from the main force. Then, Hannibal surrounded the Romans and his flanks and reserves moved in and "closed the gate." The Romans were surrounded and slaughtered. Cannae was a battle of annihilation. It has never again been equalled. After Cannae, Hannibal could have easily chased the Romans and taken Rome. However, he did not know how to use a victory. Hannibal's hesitatation gave Rome the time to regroup, and attack Carthage. Hannibal was lead on a merry chase all over Italy. Finally, Carthage called him home. Roman troops were marching against the city. Hannibal was defeated, and Carthage was raized. Hannibal fled, and was never found.
The general of Rome that defeated Hannibal was Publius Cornelius Scipio, or Scipio Africanus as history remembers him.
Ross Leckie wrote an excellent account of Hannibal. The book is titled "Hannibal" and can be found at any online bookstore. It is a good read. I highly recommend it!
"Carthago delenda est!" (Carthage must fall! The Roman Senate's war-cry against Hannibal and Carthage.)
"Hannibal ad portas!" (Hannibal is at the gate! The last cry of many Roman villas, and Carthage's reply to Rome's Senate)
King Richard the Lionhearted
King Richard was the king of England from 1189-1199 AD. He was the son of Eleanor of Aquitaine and her second husband Henry II. His greatest ambition in life was to lead the Third Crusade and re-take the Holy Land. Richard revolted against his father. His younger brother John joined him. Other allies were Aquitaine and Betran of Hauteforte. The Third Crusade was called by Pope Gregory VIII. The purpose was to free the Holy Land from the hands of the infidel hordes. He left from his castle at Arlon to journey to the Holy Land. Richard took the isle of Cyprus and then joined his forces with those of Phillip II Augustus, leader of the French forces at Acre. Acre fell to their might. After Acre, he marched for Joppa. Saladin slowed his advance from Caesera. Saladin focused his attacks on Richard's rear-guard, the "Hospitalers." Richard would not permit his army to counter the attack until evening. Richard setteled a five- year peace treaty with Saladin, the leader of the Muslim forces. One of the terms was that Christian pilgrims be allowed to visit the Holy Land. Richard was captured in Eastern Europe on his way home from the Crusades. Phillip II Augustus wanted the English posessions in France, and aided this kidnapping. He was kidnapped in 1192 at Durnstien. His kingdom reverted to the Empire, but after he was ransomed for 150,000 marks, Richard was allowed to remain king. He returned to England and spent the rest of his life fighting Phillip II Augustus. Working for the Empire, he captured Issac Comnenus, the self-proclaimed Emperor of Byzantium in 1191. Richard the Lionhearted died in 1199 at Vendome in Courcelles, and was succeeded by his younger brother John.
Richard was a great military genius. He won major military victories at Sicily, Cyprus, Acre, and Joppa. However, he was unable to wrest Jerusalem from the Muslims.
Nearing his death, Richard forgave his brother John for siding against him with Phillip II Augustus during his absence. He named John his heir.
Eleanor of Aquitaine
History remembers Eleanor of Aquitaine as the Grandmother of Europe. She was by far the most powerful woman of the 12th century. She was the only heir of William X. Her inheritance was the settlement of Aquitaine. She gained hold of it after her father's death in 1137. She was married to Louis VIII in July of that same year. She remained his wife and queen of France for 15 years. She was strong-willed and goaded her husband, Louis VIII into doing what she wanted. She accompanied her husband to the 2nd Crusade(1147-1149). Its purpose was to protect the Latin settlement of Jerusalem which had been established during the First Crusade. She remained in the East at the court of her uncle Raymond of Potier in Antioch. She became very influential as a patron of the poetic arts of courtly love and historical "matiere de Bretagne" (legends of Britian). Her conduct there aroused her husband's jealousy and lead to their estrangement. Their marriage was anulled in March of 1152 and Eleanor regained control of Aquitaine, which she had given in dowry. She married a Plantegenet, Henry II, duke of Normandy and King of England only two months after ending her marriage to Louis VIII. She bore Henry II seven children. William, who died at age three; Henry; Richard the Lionhearted; Geoffrey, the duke of Brittany; Matilda, who married Henry the Lion, the duke of Saxony and Bavarie; Eleanor, who married Alfonso VIII, the king of Castile; and lastly Joan, who married William II, the king of Sicily and after his death married Raymond VI, count of Toulouse.
Eleanor is believed to have instigated the revolts of her sons against Henry II because of Henry's infidelity. She was captured while seeking refuge in France. She was freed upon Henry II's death. She was a staunch supporter of her son Richard the Lionhearted and was even named as an administrator while he was fighting in the Third Crusade. She foiled the attempts of her youngest son John and Phillip II Augustus to take control of England during Richard's absence. When Richard died without an heir, John was named king. Eleanor helped him to solidfy his holdings. She died in 1204.