The Battle at Cannae and the rise of P. Cornelius Scipio Africanus Chapter 2 Case Study ‘The Death of Aemilius Paulus’ by John Trumbull, The Athenaeum / Yale University Art Gallery. Licensed under public domain via Wikimedia Commons:

‘ Battle of Cannae, 215 BC - Initial Roman attack’ by The Department of History, United States Military Academy: /atlases/map%20home.htm. Licensed under public domain via Wikimedia Commons: _Initial_Roman_attack.png#mediaviewer/File:Battle_of_Cannae,_215_BC_-_Initial_Roman_attack.png. Labels added by A. Graham. Hannibal Roman cavalry The Roman forces placed heavy legions in the centre row with allied troops on the wings This simple advance tactic did not utilize Rome’s greater numbers, nor did it adapt as the battle lines changed. The Roman forces placed heavy legions in the centre row with allied troops on the wings This simple advance tactic did not utilize Rome’s greater numbers, nor did it adapt as the battle lines changed. Hannibal’s loose organization allowed his troops to move easily, drawing in the Roman forces, while surrounding them. His position on the Roman left flank guarded his troops from being pushed into the river. Hannibal’s loose organization allowed his troops to move easily, drawing in the Roman forces, while surrounding them. His position on the Roman left flank guarded his troops from being pushed into the river.

‘Battle of Cannae Destruction" by Frank Martini, cartographer, Department of History, United States Military Academy. Licensed under public domain via Wikimedia Commons: Hannibal Moving forwards almost blindly, the Roman legions pressed on protected only by the light troops at the back, and allied troops on on the flanks, who were assaulted by cavalry and the African infantry, respectively. Moving forwards almost blindly, the Roman legions pressed on protected only by the light troops at the back, and allied troops on on the flanks, who were assaulted by cavalry and the African infantry, respectively.

Results of the Battle of Cannae C. 50,000-75,000 Roman men died in a day A number of Rome’s Greek allies pledged allegiance to Carthage The Roman government is in chaos with over a hundred Senators, a consul and many others now deceased (remember that the first class of Romans also had the greatest contribution to the military) Hannibal, 50 miles from Rome, now appears invincible

Aristocrat: Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus ( BC) His father (L. Corn. Scipio) was censor with Duilius; his grandfather was Scipio Barbatus, censor 280 BC, among other things. Elected quaestor in 213 when 22 years old. The tribunes objected, but were overruled. Elected proconsul (Spain) in 211, when 25. Elected consul in 205 BC, when 31. Given agnomen Africanus in 201 BC. Elected censor in 199 BC, when 37; technically too young to run for consul. Legacy: both sons became praetors in 174, but carried on no further; adopted heir Scipio Aemilianus Africanus. His descendants include Cornelia, the mother of the Gracchi and Marc Antony’s third wife, Fulvia, and Scipio Nascia, who was part of the defence in the trial of Verrem (cf. Cicero’s In Verrem)