Crossing the Alps

Alps or Sea?

Hannibal decided to cross the alps instead of sailing to italy because Rome had control of the Mediterranean and would have easily defeated hannibal who had no naval experience

It was also dangerous to transport a large army by sea during autumn

The Alps and Tribes

Hannibal's first stop on his march across the Alps was in a fertile area known as The Island

Hannibal stopped here to support Brancus, a local leader, against his rival for the tribal leadership. After helping him, Hannibal received guides and supplies to help his troops across the Alps

However, after Hannibal began his ascent, his first test came when a number of local tribes called the Allobrogians took this opportunity to attack

the tribes positioned their troops along the pass Hannibal's army would have to climb

Hannibal's guides informed him of this threat and led a small force to take the barbarians' positions, allowing him to begin cautiously moving his pack animals along the pass

The allogrobian armies saw this as an opportunity to steal his supplies and this attack panicked the animals and many fell to their deaths

Hannibal moved to he front of the pass and attacked the allogrobians from higher ground, driving them toward their town before burning it to the ground, and stealing their supplies

Then they met another tribe from the region who claimed they wanted to form an alliance, Hannibal cautiously accepted

He didn't trust them, and so again placed his pack animals at the front as they were the least valuable

This was a great decision, as the tribe had placed their main force a few miles ahead and threw stones and boulders at the animals

Hannibal retreated to higher ground with his army and the following day the tribe had retreated after taking a large amount of supplies

Before descending, Hannibal brought his army together to raise their spirits but the descent was treacherous

many animals fell to their deaths

a landslide had blocked the path

after crossing the alps, Hannibal's army had been reduced to 6,000 horsemen and 20,000 infantry