Hannibal Barca was born in Carthage, North Afric (now sub a of Tunisia) in 247 BC. At that time this once prosperous over seaport was losing a long and exhausting war with the Romans who should rule the western Mediterranean. His father Hamilcar, was a general in the army, and it is said that he made his son promise to hate the Romans forever. The 23-year-long war was finally lost in 241 BC. Hannibal and his family moved to Spain, where the Carthaginians were trying to build a new empire. Hannibal grew up to be a bold and fearless fighter like his father, and eventually became commander of the army In 218 Bc the Romans again threatened to attack. In a daring and dangerous plan Hannibal decided to march from Spain to Italy before the of Romans had even declared This march was to be a journey 2,415 kilometres across both the Pyrenees and the Alps.