Despite being the ultimate enemy, Hannibal's military acumen, loyalty to his cause, and persistence make him a mirror for Roman identity and values.
Other researchers, such as those published in the Journal of Ancient History and Social Sciences , highlight how Hannibal evokes the "tragic tyrants" of Seneca through his destructive emotions, such as ira (anger) and furor (fury). The roman Hannibal: remembering the enemy in Si...
Stocks argues that Silius’s Hannibal is not just a foreign villain, but a "Romanized" figure who paradoxically exemplifies (Roman-ness). Silius’s portrayal is seen as the final evolution
Silius’s portrayal is seen as the final evolution of centuries of Roman engagement with Hannibal in literature. Bernstein is available at Routledge
He is celebrated for his tactical genius but demonized for supposed greed and cruelty, creating a complex "anti-hero" status. Key Themes Explored in the Scholarship
For those looking to read the epic itself, a modern English translation of all 17 books by Antony Augoustakis and Neil W. Bernstein is available at Routledge . Remembering the Enemy in Silius Italicus' 'Punica'
A particularly compelling moment identified in the book is Hannibal's final speech (17.605–15), where he seemingly acknowledges the Roman literary tradition that has constructed his identity. Availability and Further Reading