During the Second Punic War, there were several major battles between Hannibal and the Romans. However, there were three battles that are discussed and studied more often than any others. These are the battles of Cannae, Lake Trasimene and Trebbia. These battles are studied more so than the others because of their importance in the war and because they display some of the most brilliant tactical maneuvers ever seen. In fact, some of the tactics and strategies employed in these battles by Hannibal had never been seen before, maximising their effectiveness and deadliness.
Ambush At Trasimeme
This article discusses the battle of Lake Trasimene. Lake Trasimene is the largest lake on the Italian peninsular south of the Po. The battle that took place there is one of the largest and most successful ambushes in military history. The battle ended in another resounding defeat for the Roman army due, yet again, to not only the brilliance of Hannibal, but also the impetuousness of the Roman General and also the weather.
The Roman Generals and Consuls present at the battle were Gnaeus Servillius Geminus and Gaius Flaminius. Like Sempronius in the battle of the Trebbia, Flaminius was impetuous, over-confident and lacked self control. Geminus was the more able General, and was sent to support Flaminius. However, Flaminius had already charged after Hannibal with his part of the army after becoming enraged at Hannibal's scorched earth policy.
Hannibal's Plan
After hearing that Flaminius had broken camp to come after him, Hannibal, who was passing Lake Trasimene, a naturally suitable ambush point, decided to make preparations for the impending battle. Hannibal used the heavy wooded hills north of the lake to hide most of his troops, that numbered in the region of 50,000.
There he arranged them into several groups who would be positioned to attack the surprised and unprepared Roman flanks. He also, the night before the battle, ordered his men to light camp fires on the hills of Tuoro, a considerable distance away so as to trick the Romans into thinking the Carthaginians were further away. The next day, a heavy fog had descended onto Lake Trasimene and the surrounding area, further concealing Hannibal's position.
Flaminius Surges Forward
The Roman army, numbering some 40,000 marched into the plains near the lake, eager to meet the Carthaginians. It was in those plains, still in a somewhat unorganised marching formation, that the Carthaginians sprung their ambush from the northern hills. The heavy fog surrounding the lake only added to the terror that the Romans experienced as 50,000 Carthaginians slammed into the Roman flanks. Many of the Romans, including Flaminius were cut down, many drowned as they tried to flee into the lake.
The Roman army was subject to the most successful ambush in military history. Only 10,000 managed to escape, with the rest having been killed or captured. Carthaginian losses stood at 2,500 in addition to “many” who died from their wounds.
Carthage Victorious
The reaction in Rome was again of fear and panic, and it even caused Rome to make a drastic step in appointing a Dictator, named Quintus Fabius Maximus, something they only did under the most dire of circumstances. Quintus had worked out that Hannibal needed battles, because his position in Italy otherwise was hopeless, being so far from home. He therefore decided that his strategy (the Fabian strategy) would be to avoid Hannibal and let his supplies run out and his men lose heart.
Sources:
Lazenby, J.F., 'Hannibal's War: A Military History Of The Second Punic War' Aris & Phillips Ltd (27 Jun 1998)
Livy, 'The War With Hannibal; The History Of Rome From Its Foundation' Penguin Classics (30 Sep 2004)
Polybius, 'The Rise Of The Roman Empire' Penguin Classics (28 Aug 2003)
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