Hannibal was a Carthaginian general and statesman who commanded the forces of Carthage in their battle with the Roman Republic during the Second Punic War.

Hannibal's father, Hamilcar Barca, was a leading Carthaginian commander during the First Punic War. His younger brothers were Mago and Hasdrubal; his brother-in-law was Hasdrubal the Fair, who commanded other Carthaginian armies.

Hannibal lived during a period of great tension in the western Mediterranean Basin, triggered by the emergence of the Roman Republic as a great power after establishing its supremacy over Italy. Although Rome had won the First Punic War, revanchism (the will to reverse territorial losses) prevailed in Carthage, symbolized by the pledge that Hannibal made to his father, "never be a friend of Rome".

The Second Punic War began 218 BC after Hannibal's attack on Saguntum (modern Sagunto, Spain), an ally of Rome, in Hispania. It was during this war that Hannibal made his famous military exploit of initiating war in Italy by crossing the Alps with North African war elephants.

In his first few years in Italy, he won a succession of victories at the Battle of the Trebia, Lake Trasimene, and Cannae (the latter of which being considered one of the great tactical feats in history). Hannibal was distinguished for his ability to determine both his and his opponent's respective strengths and weaknesses, and to plan battles accordingly.

His well-planned strategies allowed him to conquer several Italian cities that were allied to Rome. Hannibal occupied most of southern Italy for 15 years. He could not win a decisive victory. The Romans, led by Fabius Maximus, avoided confrontation with him, instead waging a war of attrition. A counter-invasion of North Africa, led by Roman General Scipio Africanus, forced him to return to Carthage. Hannibal was eventually defeated at the Battle of Zama, his brother, Hasdrubal, driven out of the Iberian Peninsula by the forces of general Scipio.