Hannibal's Crossing of the Alps

Timeline

1. -218Pyrenees · IberiaHannibal marched north from New Carthage (modern Cartagena), crossed the Pyrenees into Gaul, fighting resisting Gallic tribes and winning allies along the way to prepare for the Alpine crossing.
2. -218Alpine passes · France/Italy borderHannibal led his army and elephants over Alpine passes, enduring high-altitude cold, avalanches, and native attacks, suffering heavy losses in troops and supplies. Tradition holds he entered Italy via the Col de Clapier or a nearby pass.
3. -218Po Valley · PiedmontAfter crossing the Alps, Hannibal's army was reduced to roughly 20,000–30,000, but he engaged and defeated Roman forces near the Ticino River, formally bringing the war to the Italian peninsula and opening the Italian phase of the Second Punic War.