A historian's point of view II

You guys seemed to like it, so here's another one. After that, we're going back to the past. There are things to see and an Empire to create. ... and a school I suppose

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(3rd Person POV)

Once again, the Hufflepuffs and the Slytherins find themselves in the 'History of Magic' and can't wait for Professor Binns to continue to tell them about what really happened during the Second Punic War. 

"Good day, students. Now we didn't go over the curriculum for this year, last time. So to make up for it, we are going to continue what we are supposed to learn today.", Professor Binns says back to his usual self. But this news is like poison for the students and they groan loudly. 

"Professor, you can't let us hanging now! What happened in the Second Punic War? Did the Anathema defeat the Romans? Or did he lose midway and decide to simply be happy with the southern part of the Alps?", a student asks.

"Well-"

"Come on, Professor Binns. We simply must know how it continues. At least tell us about the Second Punic War. We will study the things we missed in our own free time.", a female Slytherin says, knowing full well, that there is no chance anyone would do that in their free time. 

"Well, if that's the case ... why not?", Professor Binns agrees and then goes to grab the book again. He seems to have come back to life again and quickly looks for the page they left off last time. When he found it, it almost looked like he had a smile on his face. 

"Alright. Last time we established that the Anathema who was a wizard, together with his Spartan unit of 100 men, killed 24'000 Carthage men until they gave up and agreed to any demand the Anathema had. This was one of the most impressive feats the Imperium has shown, laying the groundwork for what Cadia would become on that day."

"Oh please, it wasn't that impressive. Using 100 powerful wizards to kill that many muggles is a simple feat. You could probably use fewer men, using the spells we know today.", a Slytherin boy sneers. But this comment makes Professor Binns narrow his eyes at the boy. 

"It seems that you misunderstood something here. On that day, not one spell was used and what's more ... not one of the 100 Spartans, were wizards!"

"WHAT?!"

"That's impossible."

"Are you telling us that 100 muggles armed with swords and shields killed 24'000 men? And the Anathema didn't use one spell?"

"I call bullocks."

"Seconded."

"It is what is known in the only book that exists about the events from that time. There are magical pictures that apparently show the battle ... graduates from Aquila School of Magic, have confirmed that this picture hangs in the school for 5th years and above to see."

"That's outrageous!"

"Who says that those guys are telling the truth anyway?"

"Yeah, and why would they even have the picture in the first place?", someone asks.

"Simple. Because the Anathema founded the Aquila School of Magic.", Binns says shutting them up.

"Yes, but that could very well be a fake. He could have made up that story and fabricated the picture.", a Slytherin girl says. The Slytherin expect tricks and subterfuge around every corner so that makes sense. 

"You are welcome to believe what you wish, but the fact stands that there are a few things which say the same thing. But enough of that. Let's continue.", Binns says and then finally continues with the book. 

"After Hannibal had accepted the demands of the Anathema, the entire army began to make their way across the Alps. To this day it isn't certain what the Anathema demanded of Hannibal, but it is suspected that he told him to leave the northern part of the Roman Republic, which is now the southern part of Cadia, to the Imperium. And this would make sense, because of what happened later. 

Using magic and the knowledge of the terrain, the Anathema with the 100 Spartan-Is marched the Carthage army through the Alps. It is said that Anathema used a spell of his own creation, 'Calefactio' on all of the 26'000 Carthaginian soldiers and their animals, to keep them from freezing to death. Such a magical feat is one of a kind if it weren't surpassed by the Anathema himself in the future. 

The army marched across the Alps and reached Roman territory. With Hannibal's arrival, the Roman Consul Scipio hit the ground running. In typical Roman fashion, he marched his army straight at the enemy. In the mundane history books, it is said that Hannibal began preparing for his first combat on Roman soil. 

Mundane sources claim that Hannibal wanted to inspire his men and staged a gladiatorial death match between captured Celt prisoners. The winner apparently got prizes and freedom. This was to show his men that it would go similarly in the fight against the Romans. If they win, they will get riches and glory, but if they lose, then they will all die. 

This never happened. The only inspiration that the Carthaginian soldiers needed was the abilities and martial prowess of the Anathema and his 100 Spartans. They first went through the Celtic villages which were found to the south of the Alps at that time and were invited into the Imperium. Those villages who refused, their leading men were killed and their loot was distributed amongst the Carthaginians. The Anathema already knew that he would make this territory his own and so he began removing those that wouldn't submit to him. No female or child was harmed, as that was something the Anathema paid a lot of attention to. 

These easy victories and the loot which the Carthaginians were given, was enough to motivate them again to fight for the Anathema and crush the Romans. It is important to note that the Anathema didn't care about the Romans, but only wanted to acquire the land he had in mind and after that, he would leave the Carthaginians to do their own thing. 

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So when Scipio with his army arrived in the area, he opted for the more classical route and attacked the Carthaginian army as he was used to, a direct frontal attack using their discipline. But the Roman army was arrogant. What happened next ... they didn't expect. They couldn't expect that. 

The Battle of Ticinus was over almost as soon as it had begun. The muggle sources claim that Hannibal's famed lightning-fast Numidian cavalry were the ones to outmatch the Roman side. And that was true, but not entirely. Hannibal's double envelopment tactics surprised the Romans and they were forced to flee. But what happened after that, is told wrong. 

The Consul Scipio and his fleeing army never made it back. It is said that Scipio's son saved his father. But that is false. The retreating Roman army was intercepted by the Anathema and his 100 Spartans. What followed ... was a massacre, of similar proportions as the one they did against the Carthaginian army. Not one Roman survived that day. 

This humiliating loss for the Romans didn't go unnoticed. The Celts also thought this was humiliating and began flocking to Hannibal's side, just as he had hoped they would. But not only that. Even Celtic troops fighting for Rome in the Roman camps began to reconsider and betray the Romans. They cut off their heads and presented them to Hannibal."

"Professor?"

"Yes?"

"Why would they present the heads to Hannibal? Wasn't the Anathema the leader of this conquest?"

"He was, but he was not interested in the Clets joining his army. He wanted the villages which were in his future territory to follow his wishes, but not to boost his army."

"I see."

"Despite the loss Rome suffered that day, they still didn't understand the threat posed by the monster which was now loose in their territory. No one believed the rumours that a small squad of 100 men killed thousands of soldiers. The Senate was full of excuses. 

During this time, the second Consul, Consul Longus, was in the South preparing to invade Africa. He managed to capture Malta but then was called back to face Hannibal and his army. He made his way all the way to the North, in order to face Hannibal and his forces, in Trebia. It is said that Longus had a typical Roman attitude. He was arrogant in his ways and impulsive. He looked down on Hannibal, even thinking that he could win with lesser men.

Hannibal and the Anathema took advantage of this character flaw and created a simple plan. Something that everyone would think of today, but wasn't common during that time. Hannibal sent out a few of his cavalry, to provoke Consul Longus during the night. The Consul, not willing to allow such a thing to stand, woke up his forces in the middle of the night and had them start to march against Hannibal's camp. 

Remember it was mid-winter during that time, so it was freezing. The rest of Hannibal's forces were calmly sleeping and getting their rest and food, while the Roman forces had to cross a freezing river. The events were perfectly orchestrated in order to make the Roman forces be tired, hungry and freezing, while the Carthaginians were well-rested, fed and warm. So when the two sides engaged one another, the Romans were in no condition to fight. But the tragic part doesn't end there. 

The Anathema and his 100 Spartans had been lying in hiding and attacked the Romans from behind, effectively cutting off their escape route and sealing the deal for them. Once again, not one Roman made it out of the battle alive. 40'000 Romans were killed.

The Battle of Trebia was a disaster for the Romans. As even more Celts began flocking to Hannibal's side or were willing to submit to the Anathema's rule and be part of his country, Cadia, Rome largely lost its control over Cisalpine Gaul. Cadia was continuing to grow, as almost all of Cisalpine Gaul fell under his rule. Up to where today's Bologna is, was taken under the Anathema's control. 

In Rome, complacency turned to alarm. Hannibal and the Anathema had outwitted them on their own soil and inflicted an unimaginable costly defeat. Two new Consuls were selected. Servilius and Flaminius. After reaching as far south as the Anathema wanted, he separated from Hannibal and the Carthaginians and stopped fighting in the war. He was no longer interested and the things he wanted, were now achieved. Now, he would focus on strengthening and developing his country of Cadia.

And this concludes what really happened at the start of the Second Punic War. The rest continued the same way as it is told in the mundane history books.", Binns finished the paragraph and looked at the students. They were all in awe. None of them cared much about the history of the world, especially not about something that didn't concern Great Britain. But listening to this story, they couldn't help but be interested in other things the Anathema had done. Because in the magical world and also the muggle world, Cadia is known for its prosperity and power. 

Everyone seems to know that you don't mess with Cadia, after the wars that followed the Second Punic War. Many more people thought they could get rich and powerful fast, by simply conquering Cadia, but they were all thrown off their high horses and then stomped on like ants. 

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"Professor, are there more stories about the Anathema in history?"

"Yes, there are a few more like this. But I'm not sure we should talk about this now. The lesson is over. Next lesson we are definitely continuing with the curriculum of the third year. So prepare for that. Oh, and read the things that we missed in these two lessons."

"Yes, Professor.", the students said together and then left the classroom, knowing full well, that none of them will do that.