Year 219 B.C.. A quiet one, apparently. Carthaginians in Hispania have appointed a man named Hannibal as a leader of the Carthaginian army, which has about 64,000 troops mixing large number of Hispanic mercenaries, Numidian and from Carthage itself (Libyans). With him there are other general as his brother Hasdrubal and Maharbal, the general command of the Numidian Carthaginian cavalry - about 8,000 cavalry troops composed of Numidians and Iberians warriors.
Little is known of Hannibal in Rome except that he is the son of Hamilcar Barca (who was a pain in the neck in Sicily a few decades ago in the 1st Punic War) and that he is very young (about 25 years). The military leadership system of appointment differs significantly between Rome and Carthage – Roman leaders are chosen by vote while Carthage only confirms previously proposed appointments – and Hannibal has not had problems to be assured himself the leadership of the Hispania’s army. Barca’s family is too powerful and influential at the time at Carthage and few dare to stand up to those who have revitalized the economy of the city which are overflowing with fresh money.
The situation in Carthage and Numidia is quiet, away from the clash of arms in Hispania, but both regions live a great time thanks to the wealth that the new Iberian territories are providing them.
Life in Rome is peaceful, away from the bustle and noise of the news coming sporadically from Hispania’s traders anchoring at Iberians waters. The Roman Republic lives a stable situation in the Italic Peninsula and in the islands of Sicily, Corsica and Sardinia where life go by normally. The acquisition of the islands has revitalized the naval commercial traffic throughout the area and the port of Ostia, northwest of Rome, shows a hustle activity while a load of stevedores offload great quantities of grain, wine and other Mediterranean products.
Life in Roman territories is better than ever and that is reflected in the fact that the Senate has approved the funds to keep operating the modest figure of only 5 legions, which is the minimum considered necessary to defend the whole Roman territory. The legions I and II are in Rome together with the allied Ala legions of the socii peninsular cities, under the command of Consul Marcus Livius Salinator who has being awarded with the control over the homeland province.
Additionally the city of Rome has an urban army in charge of the Praefectus Urbi, more a garrison than an army, which main role is the defense of the city walls and the other fortified buildings, having more a “police” role than a military one.
The most warlike Gauls from the Cisalpine Gaul were recently pacified in a campaign that lasted 3 years (completed in 222 BC) and there have not been riots and demonstrations of violence since then, much less after Gauls learned in their flesh what does Rome to those who oppose the power of the Roman legions. The Romans have come to terms with some Gallic tribes located in the region of Venetia and Athesis - approximately 43,000 warriors-signing peace and friendship treaties. Rome punishes the rebels but hold a hand to those who submit to her.
The army of the second consul elect, Paulo Lucio Amelio has the III and IV legions - plus the socii Ala - and is stationed in Brundisium, southeast of Italy, and is about to embark to cross the Adriatic and land in Illyria territory.
Despite the calm that prevails in much of the territories, the presence of Illyrian pirates has been a scourge from time ago attacking the naval trade in the Adriatic, and the Romans have decided to end these intolerable operations.
The Roman fleet in Brundisium is in charge of Admiral Sexto Pomponio, which has under his command 350 ships mixing transport boats, light ships and quinqueremes with some 17.000 sailors, more than enough to transport almost 30.000 legionaries to Illyrian territory. The main pirate base is located in the city of Pharos, which has a good fortification and a powerful garrison, which implies that will be necessary to siege it in force. That's why the consular army carries lots of baggage which will not be enough for a long siege however, and probably will be necessary to be made more comings and goings with the fleet to transport additional supplies.
The V Legion along with an Ala socii is in Sicily, quartered in the city of Lilybaeum and commanded by the Praetor Marco Amelio, in a province garrison role. This army has about 15.000 troops.
Syracusa is the most important city of Sicily, a huge, rich and powerful city that holds a certain level of independence thanks to its alliance with Rome. It has its own troops and a small fleet and even offer support troops to Rome to defend the island. The fortifications of Syracuse are awesome - Level 4 - implying that a siege would take a long time to get something positive.
In short, Rome has about 75.000 troops across its territory without counting local citizen militias and garrisons. It is an appropriate minimum for the situation of calm experienced in the Roman Republic territories and nothing suggest that this will change soon. However Hannibal has another idea...
The Carthaginian leader does not take long to begin to make it clear that he is going to do what he thinks is the best for Carthage at all cost. Since the continued rejection of the Iberian city of Saguntum to come around and accept the Carthaginian dominion over Southeast Hispania, Hannibal decides that the time has come to besiege the city and take it by force. Saguntum has spent years opposing the Carthaginian power and its garrison, sheltered behind its walls - Level 2 -, refused to surrender to the Carthaginians.
Hannibal, to speed up the siege, decides to march towards Saguntun from Carthago Nova along with the army of his brother Hasdrubal (respecting the independence of the command). This decision occurs at the same time as the Roman consul in Brundisium embarks his troops to attack the Illyrian pirates. Saguntum, which has received news of the Carthaginian movement sent another embassy to Rome urgently. Ignoring the many warning signs that come from Hispania, it is curious that the Romans embark on a war against Illyrian pirates just in the opposite direction where the real danger lies really. Because no one knows in Rome who is Hannibal and those who are interested in, that name says nothing to them, let alone frightens them.
Everything is ready. It’s about to begin one of the most spectacular wars in history.
