youtor.org
The Battle of Cannae Triumph of a brilliant military leader
>> YOUR LINK HERE: ___ http://youtube.com/watch?v=yBsY3oukFHs
00:00 Introduction • 00:41 Hannibal's Invasion of Italy • 02:01 Description of the Roman Army. Legion • 03:23 Maniple Formation • 04:27 Composition of the Roman Army • 05:17 Commanders of the Roman Army. Contradictions between them • 06:35 Strength of the Roman Army • 07:59 Description of Hannibal's Army. Infantry • 09:25 Hannibal's Cavalry • 11:39 Formation of Hannibal's Army on the Battlefield • 13:05 Formation of the Roman Army on the Battlefield • 14:42 Hannibal's Cavalry Attack at the Beginning of the Battle • 15:25 Roman Infantry Attack • 16:28 Carthaginian Strike on the Flanks of the Roman Forces • 17:44 Losses of the Romans • 18:31 Hannibal Refuses to Storm Rome • 20:06 Romans Form a New Army • 22:12 Roman Refusal to Ransom Prisoners from Hannibal • 23:51 Continuation of the War in Italy • 24:45 War beyond Italy. Carthage's Defeat • The Battle of Cannae represents a near-perfect example of military strategy, not only defeating but almost completely annihilating the enemy army. This battle, however, illustrates the maxim that winning a battle doesn't always equate to winning a war. The Battle of Cannae was a significant encounter during the Second Punic War, also known as Hannibal's War. • Hannibal Barca, the Carthaginian general, decided to move the conflict to Italian soil. In the spring of 218 BC, he embarked on his campaign, famously crossing the Alps and invading Italy. Hannibal's early engagements were successful, defeating the Romans at the Ticinus River in November 218 BC, the Trebia River in December, and at Lake Trasimene in June 217 BC. After these victories, the Romans avoided major battles until 216 BC, when they felt ready for a new confrontation. • This confrontation took place on August 2, 216 BC, near Cannae in Apulia. Before the battle, it's essential to understand the composition of the opposing armies. The Roman army's main unit was the legion, organized into three lines: hastati (1,200 young warriors), principes (1,200 seasoned soldiers), and triarii (600 veterans), with 1,200 lightly armed velites at the front and cavalry on the flanks. The legion's manipular formation allowed flexibility and maneuverability, superior to the Greek phalanx. • By the Second Punic War, Rome had increased its army to eight legions, commanded by two consuls who alternated daily command. In 216 BC, the consuls were the experienced Lucius Aemilius Paullus and the democratic leader Gaius Terentius Varro, who had conflicting military strategies. Paullus favored cautious tactics, while Varro pushed for decisive action. • The Roman army at Cannae included 55,000 heavily armed soldiers, 8,000 lightly armed troops, and 6,000 cavalry. Hannibal's smaller, yet diverse army comprised 32,000 heavily armed soldiers, 8,000 lightly armed troops, and 10,000 cavalry. His forces included Iberians, Gauls, Libyans, Balearic slingers, and the elite Numidian cavalry, skilled riders with minimal armor. • The battle began with Hannibal's cavalry routing the Roman cavalry. The Roman infantry, forming a dense phalanx, advanced but was eventually encircled by Hannibal's forces. The Carthaginian army's crescent formation, with its flanks turning inwards, trapped the Romans in a deadly pocket. The Roman soldiers, unable to maneuver, were systematically slaughtered. • By the battle's end, the Romans suffered devastating losses, with estimates ranging from 48,000 to 70,000 killed and thousands captured. Consul Aemilius Paullus was among the dead. Hannibal's losses were much lighter, mainly among his Iberian and Gallic troops. • Despite this overwhelming victory, Hannibal did not march on Rome. His decision, possibly influenced by logistical concerns, allowed Rome to recover. The Roman Senate, rejecting peace offers, rallied the city, raising new armies from slaves, criminals, and the young. They prepared for a prolonged conflict, avoiding large-scale battles and focusing on attritional warfare. • Hannibal's campaign in Italy continued, but without the decisive blow to Rome, it lost momentum. The Roman military eventually gained the upper hand, capturing Carthaginian territories in Spain and launching an invasion of North Africa. In 202 BC, Hannibal faced defeat at the Battle of Zama, concluding the Second Punic War with a Roman victory. • The Battle of Cannae remains a landmark in military history, showcasing the brilliance of Hannibal's tactics and the resilience of Rome. • #BattleofCannae #Hannibal #Cannae #AncientRome #history #Mihnik #SecondPunicWar #RomanRepublic #AncientBattles #RomanArmy #CarthaginianArmy #ClassicalAntiquity
#############################
