The Battle of Cannae – Hannibal’s Triumph and Rome’s Nightmare

The Battle of Cannae, fought on August 2, 216 BCE, is considered one of the greatest military victories in history. During the Second Punic War, the Carthaginian general Hannibal faced a Roman army nearly twice the size of his own. Yet, through brilliant tactics, he not only withstood their assault but managed to surround and annihilate them.

Hannibal positioned his troops in a convex formation, placing weaker forces at the center. As the Romans pressed forward and "pushed in" the middle, his elite African soldiers attacked from the flanks while the cavalry struck from behind. The Romans were completely encircled — the battlefield became a deadly trap.

The losses were devastating: out of 80,000 Roman soldiers, around 50,000–70,000 were killed. It was the bloodiest day in Roman history. The Senate declared mourning, and panic swept through the city. However, Hannibal did not march on Rome, a decision many historians consider his biggest mistake.

Despite this stunning victory, Carthage failed to send reinforcements, and the war dragged on. Eventually, Rome reorganized, reformed its army, and went on to win the war. Yet, Cannae remained a symbol of perfect battlefield strategy and a harsh lesson for the Republic.

To this day, military academies study this battle as a model of encirclement and exploiting enemy weaknesses. Hannibal proved that intelligence, cunning, and resolve can overcome sheer numbers.