What happened at the Battle of Cannae in 216 BC?

The Battle of Cannae, fought in 216 BC, is one of the most famous military engagements in history, particularly noted for Hannibal's brilliant tactical maneuvers. Hannibal, the Carthaginian general, executed a double envelopment tactic, which involved his army encircling and trapping the Roman forces.

At Cannae, Hannibal's army was significantly outnumbered, yet he utilized terrain and troop positioning to great advantage. By feigning a retreat and drawing the Roman troops into a vulnerable position, he was able to surround them completely. This tactic resulted in one of the most devastating defeats in Roman history, with a large portion of the Roman army being killed or captured.

This battle did not end the Second Punic War, as it continued for several more years, nor did it mark a successful Roman defense. The overwhelming success of Hannibal's strategy at Cannae has been studied in military academies around the world for its brilliance and effectiveness.