Hannibal’s vanishing act in the Apennines wasn’t magic — it was geography, bad maps, and a whole lot of “Wait, where are we?” In this Dad Tangent, we explore why ancient armies constantly got lost, how history is full of spectacular navigational disasters, and why even with GPS we still can’t find anything. Support the show at buymeacoffee.com/historywithdad.

When Rome melted down after Hannibal’s victories, they turned to omens, rituals, and big emotional gestures that look surprisingly familiar if you’ve ever watched sports fans refuse to wash “lucky socks.” In this Dad Tangent, we explore how ancient superstitions mirror modern game-day rituals, from Roman priests reading animal guts to baseball players tapping home plate just right. Support the show at buymeacoffee.com/historywithdad.

Hannibal’s campaign explodes into full force as he marches from the ashes of Saguntum across the Ebro and Rhône, survives the deadly Alpine crossing, and unleashes a chain of stunning victories in Italy. In this episode of History with Dad, we track Hannibal’s army through the mountains, examine his early clashes with Rome at the Ticinus and Trebia, and end with the catastrophic ambush at Lake Trasimene — one of the greatest tactical surprises in ancient history. Learn why Fabius Maximus’s cautious strategy becomes Rome’s only hope, and how the Republic begins to steady itself after back-to-back disasters. Support the show at buymeacoffee.com/historywithdad.

Rome wasn’t just forming alliances in Gaul — it was basically running the ancient world’s version of a diplomatic dating app. In this Dad Tangent, we explore how Roman envoys courted Gaulish tribes with flattery, gifts, and political charm, all while Carthage looked on like a jealous ex. If you’re enjoying the show, hit follow on Spotify and support the podcast at buymeacoffee.com/historywithdad.

Spain’s silver mines sparked the ancient world’s version of a tech boom — complete with hype, boomtown chaos, and a lot of very tired workers. In this Dad Tangent, we break down how the Barcids turned Iberia into an economic engine that reshaped the Mediterranean. If you’re enjoying the show, hit follow here on Spotify and support the podcast at buymeacoffee.com/historywithdad.

Carthage rebuilds its power in Iberia as Hamilcar’s legacy passes to Hasdrubal the Fair and a rising young Hannibal. In this episode, we explore the growth of Carthage’s Spanish empire, the silver mines that fueled Barcid ambition, Rome’snervous diplomacy along the Ebro River, and the crisis at Saguntum that pushed both sides toward conflict. If you’re enjoying the journey, hit follow here on Spotify to keep up with every new episode, and you can support the show atbuymeacoffee.com/historywithdad.

Carthage almost got destroyed… by its own army. In this Dad Tangent, we explore the wild world of civil wars, mutinies, and rebellion-from-within — starting with the Mercenary War and traveling through history’s most awkward “oops” moments when a nation’s worst enemy turned out to be on its own payroll. It’s swords, sarcasm, and one giant warning about remembering payday. This one’s for every teacher, boss, or coach who’s ever had a mutiny brewing in the break room.

Before he terrified Rome, Hannibal was just a kid… swearing blood oaths, marching with armies, and growing up in a warzone. This Dad Tangent dives into the very unusual upbringing of one of history’s most iconic generals — and why building forts out of pillows just doesn’t hit the same when your dad’s building empires out of silver. Family-friendly, fact-packed, and full of laughs, it's the story of how not to raise a normal child.

After losing the First Punic War, Carthage faced a new threat — not from Rome, but from within. In this episode of History with Dad, we unravel the chaos of the Mercenary War: unpaid veterans turn on their employers, civil order collapses, and Carthage finds itself besieged by its own army. We’ll explore how Hamilcar Barca fought to save the republic, why Polybius feared this war more than any other, and how a young Hannibal came of age watching it all. Betrayals, brutality, and a republic on the brink — this is the true cost of losing a war.

He came, he saw, he reorganized the army and crushed the Romans — then vanished. In this Dad Tangent, we follow the brief but brilliant career of Xanthippus, the Spartan mercenary who turned Carthage’s hopeless war effort into one of Rome’s most humiliating defeats. Who was he? How did he pull it off? And where did he go afterward? This is the story of ancient history’s ultimate one-season wonder.

Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Overcast — and if you’re enjoying the voyage, support History with Dad at buymeacoffee.com/historywithdad.