Hannibal’s Crossing of the Alps

In October of 218 BCE, at the start of the Second Punic War, Hannibal invaded Italy through a Pass in the Alps.
Hannibal’s army was accompanied by 37 African War Elephants.

As Rome controlled the seas between Carthage and Italy, Hannibal was unable to land his army in Italy by sea.
He therefore decided to march his army through Iberia and invade Italy from the north.
He began with the siege of Saguntum near Valencia in 219 BCE.
Saguntum was loyal to Rome, and when Hannibal sacked Sagunto and enslaved the population, Rome declared war on Carthage, which began the Second Punic War (218-202 BCE).
Hannibal then divided his army into three divisions and rapidly crossed the Ebro, into territory of Roman influence, in order to reach Gaul.
Although a fleet of 60 ships was despatched to Spain, the Roman army was too slow to intercept Hannibal.
This enabled him to pass over the Pyrenees without meeting Roman opposition, and head towards the Rhone.
By successfully defeating the Cavates tribe who were blocking the river crossing, Hannibal was able to move his army across the Rhone, and climb the Alps in October.

They were guided by the Centrones tribe, but as they reached the Pass, the Centrones attacked and Hannibal’s army had to fight to get through. After successfully defeating the Centrones, they rested for three days.
The Mountain Pass is not known, but some historians have suggested that the Mont Genevre Pass was the most likely route he took. It is one of the lowest Passes in the Alps, with an altitude of 6,083 ft (1,854m), and therefore remained open for longer than other Passes.
Other historians have suggested that Hannibal may have used the Pass at the Col de la Traversette.
Finally, despite the steep descent, Hannibal made a path for his army to march down out of the Pass. After three days of marching, his army, reduced in size but still intact, camped near Ivrea in Italy.

The last surviving War Elephant was named ‘Surus’, meaning ‘the Syrian’, as narrated by Plautus (254-184 BCE).
Surus may have carried Hannibal on a seat on his back.

Mont Genevre Pass (Possible Route)