Question

Why did Hannibal most likely lose half his soldiers and most of his elephants when he crossed the Alps in 220 BCE?

a) Severe weather conditions and harsh terrain caused casualties.
b) A surprise attack by local tribes and resistance forces.
c) Inadequate preparation and lack of proper supplies.
d) A strategic decision to abandon certain forces for faster mobility.

Answer 1

Hannibal likely lost many soldiers and elephants while crossing the Alps due to severe weather and the harsh mountainous terrain, which caused frostbite and logistical challenges.

Step-by-step explanation:

The reason why Hannibal most likely lost half his soldiers and most of his elephants when he crossed the Alps in 220 BCE is due to severe weather conditions and harsh terrain.

While crossing the Alps, Hannibal's army faced extreme cold, snowfall, and subfreezing temperatures, leading to frostbite among the troops and the elephants. The rugged mountainous terrain also posed a challenge, with the narrow passes offering little chance for maneuvering large numbers of troops and the heavy war elephants. Therefore, severe weather and terrain are the key factors that caused significant casualties during the momentous journey.

Additionally, while Hannibal's tactics on the battlefield were ingenious and successful against the Romans, his crossing of the Alps was a battle against nature itself. The need for mobility and fighting at high altitudes, with few opportunities to resupply, underscores the logistical difficulties that the Carthaginian army faced, much like soldiers in any mountainous combat region. This lack of resources further contributed to the attrition of Hannibal's forces.