The Second Punic War, also called the Second Carthaginian War, took place from 218 to 201 BC between the Roman Republic and the Carthaginian Empire. There were three Punic Wars in all, culminating in Roman domination of the Mediterranean. Rome saw how much Carthage was growing and how much power it was gaining. This, coupled with the fact that Carthage controlled three islands off the coast of Italy, presented a problem for Rome. Rome insisted that Carthage join the Republic, to which Carthage did not agree. The two groups fought for twenty years, ending the wars when Carthage offered Rome the island of Sicily in exchange for peace. Rome takes Sicily, Corsica and Sardinia. Carthage, led by Hamilcar Barca, flies to fight Spain. Hamilcar's son, Hannibal, was nine years old at the time. Before leaving Carthage, Hamilcar made his son promise that when he was older, he would fight Rome in revenge. Hannibal agreed, thus beginning the legend of Hannibal, military genius. (Second) Hannibal grew up learning to completely despise Rome and everything related to it. His hatred made it easier for him to find new tactics and ideas to gain strength during the years he fought in Spain. Hannibal was born a trickster and is known to win most of his battles through clever antics and some rather gruesome forms of punishment. Some will say Hannibal was a ruthless ruler, others will say he is a great leader, but his brutal childhood and learning to hate his father contributed to his bloody ways. Hannibal's tactics imposed loyalty on his soldiers and power over his enemies. There are many combat horror stories, including that of Hannibal. One day, he had a Roman soldier held captive. He sent the soldier to fight the elephant and said, “If you win, you will be released.” » The prisoner went under the elephant and cut off its vital organs, thus giving the prisoner victory. Hannibal was