Second Punic War Timeline

Definition

The Second Punic War (The Hannibalic War) was fought between Carthage and Rome between 218 and 201 BCE. The war involved confrontations in Spain, Italy, Sicily, Sardinia, and North Africa. Hannibal led the Carthaginians, one of the most gifted commanders in history, but the Romans had their own great general Scipio Africanus, and he successfully attacked Carthage on home soil.

More about: Second Punic War

Timeline

264 BCE - 241 BCE
First Punic War. Carthage cedes Sicily to Rome.
237 BCE
Hamilcar Barca arrives in southern Spain to expand Carthage's interests there. He makes his base at Gades and founds Acra Leuce.
229 BCE
Hasdrubal takes command of Carthage's armies in Spain.
226 BCE
Hasdrubal signs an agreement with Rome not to cross the Ebro river in Spain.
221 BCE
Hannibal takes command of Carthage's armies in Spain.
219 BCE
Hannibal crosses the Ebro river in Spain and sacks the city of Saguntum, Rome's ally, sparking off the Second Punic War.
218 BCE - 201 BCE
Second Punic War.
218 BCE
Scipio Africanus lands an army at Empuries in northeastern Spain during the Second Punic War.
Mar 218 BCE
Rome declares war on Carthage after Hannibal sacks Saguntum in Spain. The Second Punic War begins.
Apr 218 BCE - May 218 BCE
Hannibal leaves Spain to cross the Pyrenees and Alps into Italy.
Nov 218 BCE
Hannibal wins the battle of Ticinus.
Dec 218 BCE
Hannibal wins the battle of Trebia.
Jun 217 BCE
Hannibal wins the battle of Lake Trasimene.
216 BCE
Marcus Claudius Marcellus successfully defends Nola against attack from Hannibal during the Second Punic War.
216 BCE
"Hannibal ante portas." Hannibal directly threatens the city of Rome, but cannot advance due to lack of supplies and reinforcements.
Aug 216 BCE
Hannibal wins the battle of Cannae, the worst defeat in Roman history.
215 BCE
A Carthaginian army led by Hasdrubal is defeated at the battle of Ibera in Spain.
214 BCE
Syracuse joins the side of Carthage in the Second Punic War.
213 BCE - 212 BCE
Roman commander Marcus Claudius Marcellus lays seige to and ultimately sacks Syracuse.
212 BCE
A Carthaginian army is defeated in Sicily by a Roman army led by Marcellus. Syracuse falls to Rome who now control the island.
211 BCE
Marcus Claudius Marcellus is given a triumph for his capture of Syracuse and victories in Sicily.
211 BCE
Scipio Africanus lands an army for the second time at Empuries in northeastern Spain during the Second Punic War.
211 BCE
A Carthaginian army defeats two Roman consuls and their armies in the Tader valley, Spain.
210 BCE - 207 BCE
Scipio Africanus conquers Spain for Rome.
209 BCE
Tarentum comes under Roman control during the Second Punic War.
209 BCE
Scipio Africanus captures the Carthaginian base and treasury Carthago Nova in southern Spain.
208 BCE
Roman commander Marcus Claudius Marcellus is killed in an ambush in Venusia, southern Italy.
208 BCE
Scipio Africanus defeats a Carthaginian army led by Hasdrubal at Baecula in Spain.
207 BCE
Hannibal, harassed by Roman forces, is reduced to controlling only Bruttium in southern Italy.
c. 22 Jun 207 BCE
Rome defeats a Carthaginian army at the battle of Metaurus.
206 BCE
Massinissa of Numidia betrays Carthage and joins forces with the Roman Republic.
206 BCE - 205 BCE
The Romans conquer Gades. End of the Carthaginian presence on the Iberian Peninsula.
206 BCE
Scipio Africanus wins the battle of Ilipa in Spain.
204 BCE - 203 BCE
Scipio Africanus wins two battles and besieges Utica in North Africa.
204 BCE
Scipio Africanus sails to North Africa in the Second Punic War.
203 BCE
Carthaginian commander Mago is unable to join forces with Hannibal and his army is defeated in Cisalpine Gaul.
203 BCE
Scipio Africanus attacks the two camps of Syphax and Gisgo in North Africa and destroys their armies.
203 BCE
Scipio Africanus defeats a Carthaginian army led by Hasdrubal in North Africa.
203 BCE
Hannibal is recalled from Italy to defend Carthage against Scipio Africanus.
19 Oct 202 BCE
Battle of Zama: Scipio Africanus defeats Hannibal, ending the Second Punic War.
149 BCE - 146 BCE
Third Punic War.