Battle of Cannae: Great Victory or Defeat?

The Battle of Cannae was one of the most decisive victories in military history. In the battle the outnumbered Carthaginian Army under Hannibal, surrounded and decimated the Roman Army. However, this battle led to Hannibal's defeat and the defeat of Carthage.

The Battle of Cannae took place in 216 BCE during the second Punic War. Carthage, having lost the First Punic war, was determined to take revenge and maintain its power.When the war broke out in 218 BCE Hannibal march to Italy from Spain. His plan was to defeat Rome's armies causing her allies to defect to him.

After winning two decisive victories against the Romans at The Trebbia River and Lake Trasimene, Hannibal looked invincible. In 216 BCE a third Roman army was sent to destroy Hannibal. At Cannae the Romans, who again outnumbered Hannibal, hoped to use the open plain to their advantage. When the infantry met, Hannibal's center fell back creating a crescent shape, which the Roman infantry pushed into. Meanwhile the Carthaginian cavalry defeated the Roman cavalry, and attacked the Roman rear. This encirclement caused the Romans to panic, and a slaughter ensued.

The victory at Cannae was exactly what Hannibal wanted, to destroy Romes armies and have her allies defect. Unfortunately, Romes allies did not defect. Rome also changed its tactics. Instead of destroying Hannibal in a battle, they would contain him in southern Italy and harass his army. This continued until 202 BCE when Hannibal escaped Italy and returned to North Africa to defend Carthage against the Roman general Scipio, who landed there in 204 BCE. They met at the battle of Zama in which Hannibal was defeated. The defeat at Zama led to the surrender of Carthage and the loss of her empire.

Why did Hannibal lose? Hannibal lost because he failed to break Romes alliances. Also, I believe he lost because the Romans changed their tactics. Before the defeat at Cannae, Rome attempted to destroy Hannibal's army by force. However, only after the disastrous defeat at Cannae did they try a new tactic. If Hannibal would have won Cannae but not decisively or withdrew for a draw, would Rome have changed its tactics? I believe they would not of. If Cannae was a small Roman defeat or a draw, Rome would have continued to pursue Hannibal and destroy him in battle. Therefore, Hannibal should have withdrew from southern Italy. By staying there he allowed Rome to rebuild its army, and pursue Carthage on other fronts. Therefore, this great victory led to the defeat of Hannibal and Carthage.

For more information about all three Punic wars visit http://www.boisestate.edu/courses/westciv/punicwar/