Review: 'Secrets Of The Dead: Hannibal In The Alps'

When it comes to military feats, there are few more extraordinary than one campaign that took place more than 2,000 years ago. At the time, Carthage and Rome were battling for control of the Mediterranean. Facing a dominant Roman Navy that controlled the water, Carthage's famed general Hannibal tried an audacious and seemingly insane move. Hannibal crossed the heights of the French Alps with a force of more than 30,000 soldiers, 15,000 cavalry and most famous of all – 37 elephants. Even now, it's a staggering feat and an accomplishment that is still not that well understood by historians.

In "Secrets of the Dead: Hannibal in the Alps," a team of explorers, archaeologists, and scientists use the latest in technology as well as some old-fashioned spade work to answer some of the biggest questions about Hannibal's 16 day effort. Including trying to conclusively prove where Hannibal's army crossed the Alps.

While I was familiar with the highlights of Hannibal's invasion, seeing the narrow passes and tiny mountain overhangs that stood between Hannibal and Italy is quite striking. Seeing the Alps, it's difficult to imagine someone walking into Italy across those mountains, much less dragging horses and a bunch of cranky elephants.

I don't think I'm giving anything away to say scientists are able to answer some of the questions about Hannibal's invasion and uncover solid scientific proof it likely took place the way ancient historians had recorded. But even armed with the new knowledge, there are still plenty of mysteries surrounding the effort, including just how all of those animals were able to survive in a landscape that is so devoid of vegetation and water.

The sad thing about the story is that despite Hannibal's extraordinary efforts, his victory only delayed the inevitable Roman onslaught by a few years. After crossing the Alps, Hannibal and his army terrorized Italy for more than a decade. But he was eventually defeated and Carthage was destroyed and brought under the control of Rome.