Hannibal: March 2010

Monday, March 22, 2010

Preface

This blog is not meant to steal anything from any one.I am just a fan who is fond of history and Shakespearean plays. So I want write about one of history's most formidable,cunning,successful and yet loathed and hated general.

Yes you are right!

It is Hannibal.

I simply want to present historical facts and philosophical and melancholic thoughts of a boy and then a man who was in every practical sense, a true patriot. A man who gave his all for his country yet received deception, betrayal and defeat.

The Romans feared him yet admired and respected him.

This is his story.

Battle of Cannae

This epic battle fought between Hannibal and Romans in the spring of 216 B.C. and is considered the master stroke of military strategising on the part of Hannibal.

Hannibal, at first enticed the Roman infantry core to attack his weak center of his Spanish and Gaelic Infantry.He spread his own soldiers in a semi circle(see Fig below) and this in turn spread out the Romans as well.The flanks of the Romans which were now exposed was left now to his elite African troops.

His Hispanic and Gaelic cavalry, as well as his Numidian cavalry

hounded their Roman counterparts and then span around to cut of the Romans' escape route from the rear.

Thus, Hannibal's men managed to slaughter a much greater Roman force that day.

This victory was decisive for Hannibal as it meant that now he only had to take Rome.

But for want of support, he could not and thus ended his winning streak.

To this day however the battle of cannae is remembered as Hannibal's greatest triumph over Rome and this is why he is a legend.