Polybius: The Seed Of The Second War

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“The seeds of the second war were sown at the end of the first war.” Polybius points out three main causes in book III (9-10). The first cause examines Hamilcar’s attitude, he had held out seven years and only had to capitulate because a failure by the Carthaginian government to send his supplies and reinforcements. Secondly, he had defeated the Romans and believed if he could face them on equal terms the situation would be reversed. Finally, he desired revenge on the Romans for going back on their word in his treaty with Catulus. Polybius goes on to state that Hamilcar played a massive role in starting the Second Punic