HIEU 322 - Reflection Essay - The Second Punic War

The Second Punic War The Second Punic War was fought from 218 B.C. to 201 B.C. between Carthage and Rome as a possible result of deep seated hatred that remained from the dissatisfied results of the First Punic War. This paper will focus on the written accounts of two historical writers; Titus Livy and Polybius. In contrasting and comparing their accounts for the origins and causes of the Second Punic War, it is interesting to note each author comes from a different background. Livy did not have political ties leaving him without access to many official records and spared from undue influence. Polybius was the son of a statesman and attempted to record history as it happened for the benefit of those studying history. Both writers understood the value of studying history for the progress of society. Differences and similarities exist within the accounts of both historians for the origins and causes of the war.