Throughout Roman history, from the early days of the republic to the last days of the empire, Rome was threatened by barbarian tribes. They came marching down from northern Europe every couple of hundred years, and occasionally captured and burned Rome. But Rome’s biggest threat was not the barbarians, at least, not until the very end. At the height of the strength of the Roman Republic, Rome faced their most dangerous threat, and also suffered their very worst, and most embarrassing, military defeats. That threat was the city of Carthage, and especially their great general, Hannibal.