During the Second Punic War, Hannibal Barca crossed the Alps in 218 BC to attack Rome from the north, an impressive military feat. Along the way, he encountered various Alpine tribes. The Allobroges, inhabitants of the northern Alps, resisted in part, but some allied themselves with him, hoping to escape Roman control. Other tribes, such as the Salasses in the Piedmontese Alps, attempted to defend their territory but were unable to stop Hannibal's advance. Despite extreme difficulties, including attacks by local peoples and mountain conditions, Hannibal managed to cross the Alps and lead his army into Italy, where he inflicted major defeats on Rome. This crossing marked a turning point in the war and highlighted the impact of the Alpine peoples in this military epic.