Hannibal (also known as Hannibal Barca, l. 247-183 BCE) was a Carthaginian general during the Second Punic War between Carthage and Rome (218-202 BCE). He is considered one of the greatest generals of antiquity, and his tactics are still studied and used today. The Punic Wars were fought between Carthage's cities in North Africa and Rome in northern Italy for supremacy in the Mediterranean region. The second war resulted directly from the first. Hannibal assumed command of the troops following his father's death and led them victoriously through several engagements until he stood almost at Rome's gates, at which point he was stopped, not by the Romans, but through a lack of resources to take the city.