When did an army of elephants cross the Alps?

Hannibal

The legendary Hannibal was born in 247 B.C. in Carthage, a city in North Africa, founded centuries earlier by Middle Eastern merchants.

At the age of 25, Hannibal led the Carthaginian army against Hispania (Spain), a province of Rome, with which the Romans declared war on Carthage.

During his conquests through Hispania and Gaul (France), Hannibal used African elephants to carry men and supplies. Hannibal even dared his army of elephants to march on the snowy Alps to invade Italy.

Hannibal defeated the Roman armies and pillaged northern Italy, coming within 160 km of Rome itself.

The invasion of Italy was the greatest threat the Romans ever faced.

Hannibal's army spent 15 years in Italy, but was unsuccessful in conquering Rome. Eventually they had to return to Africa to defend Carthage from a Roman invasion. In 146 B.C., the Romans conquered the city of Carthage, which they totally destroyed.

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