Hannibal, son of Hamilcar, was a Carthaginian military commander and tactician popularly considered one of the most talented military commanders in history. In his early childhood he was forced to take an oath of hatred against Rome, which led him to start the Second Punic War. During this time he transformed Carthage from a humble place into a military superpower. Although he lost the war, his tactics were far beyond that of anyone else at the time, which had made him win many battles even when the odds were against him. Hannibal was born in 247 BC in Carthage, North Africa. When he was born, Carthage was on the verge of losing the First Punic War. “His father Hamilcar Barca was the main Carthaginian commander during the First Punic War” (ancient.eu.com 1). Before the First Punic War, the city had been a growing seaport and possessed many wealthy provinces. After the war, Rome's victory wrested Sicily from Carthage, which was one of its most important provinces. During Carthage's civil war, Rome also conquered Sardinia and Corsica. All these events left a great impression on Hannibal as a child. Hannibal was the eldest son of Hamilcar Barca, who commanded the Carthaginian army at the time. For this reason Hamilcar made Hannibal swear a blood oath of hatred towards Rome. When Hannibal's father died in 229 BC, Hamilcar's son-in-law Hasdrubal took command of Carthage's army. During his time as commander, he appointed Hannibal as an officer of the Carthaginian army. In 221 BCE Hasdrubal was killed and the Carthaginian soldiers unanimously chose Hannibal as their next commander, a decision which was later approved by their government. "At the age of 26, Hannibal received command of an army and im... middle of paper... of Europe and the Alps against Rome in the Second Punic War" (biography.com 5). With such a major achievement under his belt, he is considered among the greatest generals who lived, along with Alexander the Great, Pyrrhus of Epirus, Scipio, and Julius Caesar. With his father's influenced hatred of Rome, Hannibal began the Second Punic War. , wanting to make the world better for Carthage. He became one of the most famous and greatest military leaders alive. “Surely no man ever undertook a great work to his chagrin, from more purely patriotic instincts, than this same Carthaginian” (Dodge 170). Hannibal was truly doing what he thought was best for his country of Carthage, and even though he lost the war, Hannibal went down in history and will always be remembered as one of the greatest strategists and tacticians this world has ever known..