The Battle of Cannae. Triumph of a brilliant military leader скачать в хорошем качестве

The Battle of Cannae. Triumph of a brilliant military leader

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 #Olmih #SecondPunicWar #RomanRepublic #AncientBattles #RomanArmy #CarthaginianArmy #ClassicalAntiquity