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Conclusions
There are a number of conclusions to this thesis; given the focus in each chapter on a
different aspect of the tradition about Hannibal, there are conclusions that are specific to
each chapter which will be summarised below, as well as some overall summations
about the texts and representations of Hannibal which will be covered first. Most of the
conclusions are necessarily tentative due to the necessity of comparing and interpreting
incomplete texts and other sources that have survived from the ancient world through
the hands of copyists or sheer chance.
Hannibal‟s epitaphs and literary portraits as well as Cornelius Nepos‟ biography
generally present him as an exemplary general despite the fact that he did not win either
the Second Punic War or any subsequent wars against Rome. Authors such as Diodorus
Siculus admire Hannibal‟s military genius, highly imaginative strategic skills, his
charisma, his ability to retain and command men from a variety of cultures, as well as to
maintain and provision a large army in Italy for a sustained period of time (Diodorus
Siculus, 29.19). Justinus‟ epitome included the information that Hannibal was respected
by some for his sober habits, not reclining at meals, not drinking too much wine or over-
indulging with female captives, despite the best efforts of his enemies to suggest
otherwise (Justinus, 32.4).
Appian and Juvenal have been shown to present Hannibal and the events around him
in ways that have certain similarities with the depiction of Hannibal in the Punica.
Appian has been shown in a number of chapters to follow a similar tradition to Silius,
for example, divine Providence turning Hannibal away from Rome after his victory at
Trasimene, while Juvenal and Silius describes Hannibal in similar terms as a client of
Prusias. It is not possible to conclude with certainty whether the differences in the later
presentations reflect changing attitudes to Hannibal, or reflect the influence of a text like
the Punica (if it predates Juvenal‟s Satire X) or if Appian and Silius are influenced by
other traditions that are no longer extant; there is scope for further research between
these texts.
Polybius frequently presents Hannibal embodying the virtues of a good general,
planning his operations carefully, creating alliances to distract his enemies (such as that
with Philip), being bold when necessary and exercising caution over his personal safety
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