Italy's mountainous terrain is used to explain the legion's reliance on protected infantry and the limits on wide cavalry manoeuvres. Hannibal's successes are considered alongside the quality of the opponents he faced. The assessment accepts his generalship while arguing that weak commanders helped him secure favourable battles. Better opponents could deny him those battles, and a strong commander with comparable forces could defeat him.
Notable Point · 37:03-37:50
Roman infantry, Italian terrain, and Hannibal's opponents
Mountainous terrain restricts cavalry movement, while Hannibal's successes are weighed against the commanders and forces he faced.