Realities of Ancient Warfare: Carthage

In looking at the composition of both the opposing forces we can see several realities that are often over looked. First, the army Hannibal started with was built along the organizational lines of the Successor States of the times. Even if Hannibal's phalangites were not pike armed which is still a matter of speculation, they were organized along eastern tactical understandings and that means they were arrayed or organized like Successors. Second the Carthaginian armies were slightly larger than that of a full Roman consular army or some 35,000 men of all arms. In any case a Carthaginian army was very cosmopolitan when compared to those of Rome.

Core Army Liby/Phoenician Chiliarchs (8 units-8,000 men)

In general the Carthaginian army has a core force of 8 basic foot units called chiliarhies or phalanx regiments. The phalanx would have Liby/Phoenecians, some Carthaginians, later Italians from southern Italy and eastern mercenries. A phalanx could normally be divided into two wings of 4 chiliachies each. These early in the war might have been medium or heavy foot and formed the core of the army. Sometimes they were placed in two lines and occassionally on the flanks of the allies something only Scipio would emulate later in the war. Around this force support units added a diversity the Roman army lacked.

Support Units Spanish (4 units-4,800 men)

A good part of the Carthaginian army was composed of non-Carthaginian allies including the Spanish celts called Celtiberians. These could number half of the total force in the field. Wisely Hannibal let these retain their native formations and were permitted to fight in their native style. I have added +1 as sword men and if pila armed they also get the pila first contact but this is not added to their factor as it is a modifier.

Other Support Units Celtic (4 units-4,800men & 4 units-3,600 men)

On entering the Po River Valley Hannibal was able to gather together a large number of anti-Roman faction Celtic tribes living in that area. Like the Spanish these were permitted and encouraged to organize and fight in their own style. They have a plus 1 built into their melee factor. Tribal charging is in the modifier table as it does not always apply.

Skirmish Units (3 units Balearics-3,000men & Numidians 5 units-4,000men)

Having their capitol city in North African the Carthaginians were able to ally themselves with the Moorish people along the North African coast. The Numidians provided both foot and mounted units acting as skirmishers. The Baeleric Islanders provided Carthage with some of the best slingers then available.

Fringe Units (2 Models Elephants as 1 unit=10 elephants & crews)

African elephant units from the interior were also enlisted to fight Rome. Unlike the more exotic tower carrying elephants seen in the eastern countries of Asia Minor these were ridden like horses.

Cavalry (Liby/Phoenicians 3 units-900 men-2,700 men & horses)

The Carthaginian cavalry were some of the best in the world. The cavalry men were a mixed ethnic group of Punic and Libyan backgrounds. Numidia and Spain also provided excellent cavalry units.

Cavalry (Numidians) 4 units-3,200 men & horses)

The Numidian cavalry were light or skirmish cavalry who were ideal to Hannibal's tactics. They did well when charging from flank or rear or out of ambush. They would eventually ally themselves to Rome. they sold out to Rome in a style that only the Carthaginians could have appreciated.

We would like to thank The Foundry for letting us use their wonderful photographs.