Hannibal achieved an unprecedented string of victories against Rome, beginning at the empire's furthest reaches and eventually threatening to sack the capital itself. Again and again he handed embarrassing defeats to Roman generals, and he nearly toppled the empire before it reached its height of power.

Part 1) Explain Hannibal's background and that of his homeland, Carthage.

Part 2) Describe Hannibal's overall military strategy, and the grand strategy of Carthage as a whole. Were these sets of goals aligned well, or did Hannibal experience political problems in carrying out his campaigns?

Part 3) Analyze at least one of Hannibal's battles in depth, including a discussion of the forces involved and the strategies employed by both sides.

Part 4) Discuss Hannibal's campaign in the Italian peninsula from a strategic perspective. What was his overall goal? Did he succeed in achieving decisive results? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

During the First World War, the Turkish theater saw the most mobile and strategic fighting of the war. Multiple invasions by France and England were fought back, and a vicious skirmishing guerrilla war was fought over the independence of emerging Arab states.

Part 1) Explain the importance of Turkey to the grand strategy of the first World War. Why did this country enter into the war, and what did it hope to gain? Why did the allies decide to invade this country directly?

Part 2) Discuss the war between Turkey and the western powers. What types of strategies were employed by each side? Why did France and England consistently fail to succeed in Turkey? Were the results of this war decisive or indecisive, and why?

Part 3) Discuss the war between Turkey and the Arab states. What distinct advantages and weaknesses did each side posses? Which side better utilized its own strengths and took most advantage of its enemy's weaknesses? What were the results of this conflict?

Essay Topic 3

Julius Caesar was a visionary and a brilliant general. In a few short years, he transformed Rome from a republic into an empire, a move that shook the ancient world and forever changed Rome's destiny.

Part 1) Who was Julius Caesar, what was the political and military atmosphere of Rome when he grew up and when he educated, and how did he begin his career?

Part 2) Outline Caesar's style of generalship, emphasizing his use of the indirect method using examples from the book.

Part 3) Explain how Caesar maneuvered himself to become dictator for life of Rome, and how he altered the empire. How was his approach to politics similar or different from his approach to warfare?

Part 4) Explain the reasons for Caesar's assassination, and briefly discuss his legacy to Rome in particular and to military strategy as a whole.

(see the answer keys)

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