×
WHO WE ARE COMPETITION WORKSHOPS ROADSHOWS ACTIVITIES RESOURCES NEWS CONTACT
BACK
Development of Land Tactics
During the course of the Punic Wars, there were key developments in military tactics which affected the outcome of the THE PUNIC WARS
conflict. The most notable of these developments was the Carthaginian formation used at the Battle of Cannae, during the
CONTENTS:
Second Punic War, on 2nd August 216 BCE.
• Timeline
Having crossed the Alps and won a significant battle near the Trebia River, the Carthaginian force led by Hannibal next
ambushed and destroyed a Roman army at Lake Trasimene, and then moved into Southern Italy, where they hoped to stir up • The Punic Wars: Introduction
rebellion among the subjects of Rome, to grow their army and eventually attack the city itself. • Origins of Conflict
• Tactics
The presence of such a large army among the communities of Southern Italy did not lead to rebellions against Rome as Hannibal
• Animals
had hoped. However, in August 216 BCE the Romans sent a field army of approximately 85,000 men to drive the Carthaginians
out of Italy. • End of Conflict
• References
Hannibal’s army consisted of people from the Iberian peninsula, from Gaul, including the Gallic tribes of Northern Italy, from
areas around Carthage in North Africa, and from Libya. A key part of the army was the cavalry, which Hannibal used as his
secret weapon. When battle commenced, Hannibal deliberately allowed the Romans to advance quickly against his first lines of
infantry, who slowly retreated. The Romans thought they were winning the battle, until the Carthaginian Cavalry emerged
from one side, and approached the Roman army from behind, surrounding them.
This shock tactic won the battle for Carthage, the trapped Roman army suffered significant casualties. Some estimate that one
fifth of all Roman men of fighting age died during the Battle of Cannae.
By using this website, you agree to our use of cookies. We use cookies to provide you with a great experience and to help our website run effectively. ×
After the Battle of Cannae much of southern Italy did then join Hannibal - as much of 40% of Rome’s allies went over to him in
the next few years. Roman tactics were to target these rebels through raids and brutal sieges, while trying to prevent Hannibal
from coming to their aid. The Romans sacked the major cities of Capua, Tarentum and Syracuse (among many others) after they
had joined Hannibal.
However, Hannibal was unable to take advantage of the victory and the Carthaginian army remained in Southern Italy for more
than a decade. The Roman strategy evolved due to their heavy losses - instead of large battles, they sent small forces to tie up
Carthaginian armies in Spain and Sicily.
The Romans also aimed to disrupt Hannibal’s communications with Carthage and other armies, especially in Spain and finally
Africa, including when the Romans captured the terms of the secret treaty made between Hannibal and Philip V of Macedon in
215 BC.
More critically, in 207, the Romans captured Hasdrubal’s messengers and so learned before Hannibal where Hasdrubal’s army
planned to advance into Italy. The Romans intercepted him at Metaurus and defeated his army.
Eventually, the Romans appeared to be winning the Second Punic War so Carthage called on Hannibal to return to North Africa
to command the whole of Carthage’s army.
However, fourteen years after the Battle of Cannae, the Romans used Hannibal’s same tactic of surrounding their enemy at the
Battle of Zama. The Battle of Zama was fought at Naraggara, and the Roman General Scipio had advanced his tactics
considerably. He thought of a new way of overcoming Carthage’s elephants, and used Hannibal’s own strategy of bringing his
cavalry around the outside of Carthage’s main force to surround them.
The Roman cavalry during the Battle of Zama was led by Masinissa of Numidia. After the two infantries were engaged in battle,
the mounted soldiers drove away Hannibal’s cavalry and then surrounded the Carthaginians and won the battle.
By using this website, you agree to our use of cookies. We use cookies to provide you with a great experience and to help our website run effectively. ×
We have published two books to mark the centenary of the First World War.
Learn more here.
By using this website, you agree to our use of cookies. We use cookies to provide you with a great experience and to help our website run effectively. ×
