Historical Event · 2 August 216 BC
Battle of Cannae
The Battle of Cannae (216 BC) was Hannibal's masterpiece, a double-envelopment in which his Carthaginian army annihilated a far larger Roman force during the Second Punic War.
Key Takeaways
- At Cannae, Hannibal encircled and destroyed a Roman army roughly twice his size.
- It is the classic example of a double-envelopment maneuver.
- Despite the disaster, Rome refused to surrender and ultimately won the war.
Location: Cannae, Apulia, Italy
At Cannae in 216 BC, Hannibal Barca achieved what is often called the most perfect tactical victory in history. Outnumbered, he deliberately allowed his center to give way, drawing the massive Roman army forward — then closed his cavalry and veterans around their flanks and rear.
The encircled Romans were annihilated in a single day of slaughter. Yet Rome refused to make peace, and over the following years it wore down Carthage to win the Second Punic War. Cannae endures as the textbook example of the double envelopment.
Outcome
Catastrophic Roman defeat; one of the bloodiest single days in military history.
Significance
Cannae became the textbook example of the tactical double envelopment, studied by commanders ever since.
Key Figures
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Battle of Cannae famous?
It is famous as Hannibal's tactical masterpiece — a double envelopment that destroyed a much larger Roman army — and remains a model studied in military academies.