WI: Hannibal passes through Massalia instead of the Alps

[SunKing105]

In 218 BC, after the Second Punic War had started, Hannibal had successfully besieged Saguntum and was about to cross the Alps into Italy, sparking an invasion which would change the face of the Mediterranean world and the fate of Rome. But while he was crossing the Alps, he suffered heavy losses.

Now WI Hannibal had decided to go through Massalia and the coastal strip of Liguria instead? Since Massalia was a Roman ally Hannibal would have to besiege the city, but without losing much of his forces at the Alps could he be more successful? Is this route even plausible? What are your thoughts on this matter?

 

[basileus]

In 218 BC, after the Second Punic War had started, Hannibal had successfully besieged Saguntum and was about to cross the Alps into Italy, sparking an invasion which would change the face of the Mediterranean world and the fate of Rome. But while he was crossing the Alps, he suffered heavy losses.

Now WI Hannibal had decided to go through Massalia and the coastal strip of Liguria instead? Since Massalia was a Roman ally Hannibal would have to besiege the city, but without losing much of his forces at the Alps could he be more successful? Is this route even plausible? What are your thoughts on this matter?

Don't believe for a minute that Liguria is geographically easy to cross. Indeed it's much more logical to follow a deep valley inyo yje Alps, cross a pass and descend another valley rather than having to continuously go up and down along a number of small valleys perpendicular to the coast. No, Liguria could make for a naval route (AGAINST the prevailing wind and current, though, that is from Italy to France...), not seriously for any land-based military invasion. Before Napoleon, almost no one ever tried this, for a host of good reasons. By the great Corsican's times, communications had improved (somewhat, he did have to ameliorate coastal communications by building trunks of the main road, to this day called the via Aurelia in homage to its Roman ancestor, but Ligurians still mainly moved by boat or trekking by steep footpaths), armies had big logistical trains and excelletn mapmaking offices: that allowed for more leeway in the choice of routes.

 

[SunKing105]

If Liguria isn't passable, is there any other way to bypass the Alps for a more easier route? Or will Hannibal have to make the crossing like OTL? Maybe a better POD is that he loses less men during the crossing?