The Roman trauma from Hannibal was so severe that 'Hannibal ad portas' ('Hannibal at the gates') became a phrase used to scare children, and Romans remained scared of Carthage for generations

factualpending

Speaker

Victor Davis Hanson

Evidence Quote

It was always Hannibal ad Portis. They scared little kids with, 'Hannibals at the gates.' And they were traumatized.

Source

“The End of Everything,” with Victor Davis Hanson | Uncommon KnowledgeHoover Institution
Created: 8/12/2026, 6:38:14 PM

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