Elephants were the first "tanks" used in warfare. Can you imagine the sight of 40,000 troops and 40 angry elephants crossing snow-covered mountains to attack your city? If you think an elephant isn't a frightening fighting machine, watch this video:
Yikes! That was the scene as Hannibal Barca marched through the Alps on his way to attack the enemy he hated most, Rome.
Punic? Seriously...what does THAT mean? The word Punic refers to the civilization in North Africa known as Carthage. "Punic" was derived from a Greek word meaning "Phoenician." Carthage was a strong Phoenician city, but as Phoenicia declined in importance in the region, Carthage thrived. Rome desired the strategic trading location of Carthage and its neighboring islands of Sardinia and Sicily.