The Battle of Cannae
216 BC · Classical Antiquity
The Battle of Cannae was a major battle of the Second Punic War fought on August 2, 216 BC. It is considered one of the greatest tactical feats in military history, as the Carthaginian forces of Hannibal Barca defeated a numerically superior Roman army under the command of consuls Lucius Aemilius Paullus and Gaius Terentius Varro.
Key Figures
Hannibal BarcaLucius Aemilius PaullusGaius Terentius VarroMaharbal
Locations
RomeCannaeCarthage
Topics
lucius aemilius paulluspunichannibal barcasecond punic wargaius terentius varrowarbattle of cannae
Connected Events — 2 Connections
Rome's traumatic defeat at Cannae forced strategic reforms including improved cavalry, better generalship under Scipio, and the decisive strategy of attacking Carthage directly - leading to Hannibal's final defeat The Battle of Zama
Established Hannibal's tactical brilliance and double-envelopment strategy that he would perfect at Cannae, serving as the tactical rehearsal for his greatest victory Battle of the Trebia
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