Republic · Roman Empire Daily
In 218 BC the Carthaginian general Hannibal marched war elephants over the Alps to invade Italy.
Deep dive
The crossing cost him many men and animals but stunned Rome by bringing the war to its doorstep. Hannibal went on to win crushing victories before the tide eventually turned.
Source: Polybius, 'Histories,' 3.50–56; Livy, 'History of Rome,' 21.
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