AD 300s
Rome had a large mass of poor people who lived in abject poverty and were supported by the state though the provision of a gain dole in which grain for the poor was at times subsidised and at times free. Many were unemployed or underemployed. Many became clients of patrons (rich people) who relied on the patron giving the odd jobs or cash hand-outs. Some worked on market stalls some were street vendors and peddlars, some were labourers, some were beggars. . There were also bakers, butchers and artisans who worked for the workshop owners.
Hannibal was the Carthaginian general in question. Hannibal led both his troops and his elephants over the Alps and into Italy during the Second Punic War.