Explanation: During the Second Punic War, the Carthaginian general Hannibal quite soundly defeated several Roman armies that were sent after him in Italy. In fact, so many Romans died that it’s estimated that 20% of Rome’s military-age males were killed by Hannibal. For reference, WW1 had about 15% killed before the will to fight collapsed and the war ended.
And yet, Rome kept coming back, with more and more and more men. They banned mourning. They taxed all luxuries. They called up all the young men they could regardless of social class. They armed slaves in exchange for their freedom. Whatever it took. And because of that determination, Rome eventually, resoundingly won the war, despite losing entire armies to Hannibal’s forces.
Wow that’s really cool. I didn’t know it was that close at all. I love that you take the time to share the backstories.
Always happy to share the tidbits I’ve picked up over the years! Funny enough, according to Greek and Roman sources (which are, of course, biased), peace was never seriously considered by the Roman Republic despite their massive losses. When the Roman general Varro at Cannae, one of the worst defeats of the war, came back in shame to Rome, the Roman people actually praised him for not giving into despair after the loss and killing himself (as might otherwise be acceptable) and choosing to continue the fight to preserve the Republic instead.
Pride is a hell of a drug.