Despite being the ultimate enemy, Hannibal's military acumen, loyalty to his cause, and persistence make him a mirror for Roman identity and values.
A particularly compelling moment identified in the book is Hannibal's final speech (17.605–15), where he seemingly acknowledges the Roman literary tradition that has constructed his identity. Availability and Further Reading The roman Hannibal: remembering the enemy in Si...
He is celebrated for his tactical genius but demonized for supposed greed and cruelty, creating a complex "anti-hero" status. Key Themes Explored in the Scholarship Key Themes Explored in the Scholarship A central
A central "interesting paper" (or more precisely, a seminal book often discussed in academic circles) on this exact topic is by Claire Stocks (2014). Despite being the ultimate enemy
Silius’s portrayal is seen as the final evolution of centuries of Roman engagement with Hannibal in literature.
Stocks shows how Silius constructs Hannibal using literary models like Homer’s Achilles and Virgil’s Aeneas.