As part of its ongoing cultural activities, the Turkish Cultural Center in Tunisia organized a seminar titled “Hannibal from the Perspective of a Turkish Historian.” During the event, Turkish author and historian İlknur Bektaş delivered an extensive lecture on the historic military commander, drawing from her book The Shadow of Rome: Hannibal.
In her presentation, Bektaş examined Hannibal’s character from both historical and analytical angles, emphasizing that he was not merely a military leader but a strategic figure who reshaped the balance of power in the ancient world. She also noted that historical narratives surrounding Hannibal vary significantly depending on cultural context.
Bektaş highlighted that Hannibal waged one of the longest military confrontations against Rome, cementing his place among the most outstanding commanders of antiquity. She added that his legacy remains a central focus in modern historical research.
Speaking at the event, Turkish Ambassador to Tunisia Ahmet Misbah Demircan stressed that strengthening cultural ties between Turkey and Tunisia depends largely on highlighting shared or influential historical figures. He pointed to Hannibal as a cultural bridge between the two nations and underscored the importance of making Carthage’s heritage more widely known within Turkey. He also described the translation of Bektaş’s work into Arabic as a significant step toward deeper cultural exchange.
Ambassador Demircan further suggested that developing artistic and theatrical works inspired by Hannibal’s life could open new avenues for bilateral cultural cooperation.
The program organized by the center is expected to enhance cultural collaboration between Turkey and Tunisia while supporting joint academic and artistic projects.
TunisianMonitorNews (Tlig Dhouha)
