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WotR Ch. 15: Disaster at Cannae Q. Fabius Maximus & The Road to Cannae • After suffering major defeats at the Ticinus and Trebia (218), and especially at Lake Trasimene (217), Q. Fabius Maximus is appointed dictator • Q. Fabius Maximus: – known for advocating a policy of delaying rather than meeting Hannibal and fighting head on – this was not popular at Rome, but it was effective – kept “running away” and burning crops to weaken Hannibal’s army (scorched-earth policy) – named “Cunctator” (“the Delayer”) • In 216, L. Aemilius Paulus (patrician) & P. Terentius Varro (plebeian) are consuls 1. Ticinus (218) 2. Trebia (218) Hannibal vs. P. Cornelius Scipio Hannibal vs. T. Sempronius Longus 3. Trasimene (217) Hannibal vs. C. Flaminius Hannibal’s Victories in Italy 4. Cannae (216) Hannibal vs. L. Aemilius Paulus & P. Terentius Varro 15.1 Aemilius Paulus & Varro are Dispatched Quīngentēsimō et duodēquadrāgēsimō annō post urbem conditam L. Aemilius Paulus et P. Terentius Varrō contrā Hannibalem mittuntur. 15.2.1 Varro ignores Fabius’ Warnings Quamquam Quīntus Fabius Maximus ambō cōnsulēs monuerat Hannibalem nōn aliter vincī posse quam morā, Varrō tamen morae impatiēns apud vīcum, quī Cannae appellātur, in Apuliā pugnāvit; Cannae – Opening Moves Cannae – Annihilation of the Roman Army Cannae 15.2.2-15.3 Disaster Ensues ambō cōnsulēs victī sunt, atque Paulus interēmptus est. In eā pugnā virī cōnsulārēs aut praetōriī vīgintī, senātōrēs trīgintā captī aut occīsī sunt; mīlitum quadrāgintā mīlia, equitum tria mīlia et quingentī periērunt. The Aftermath “The morning after, as soon as it was light, [the Carthaginians] pressed forward to collect the spoil and to gaze on a carnage ghastly even to enemies. There lay thousands upon thousands of Romans, infantry and cavalry indiscriminately mingled, as chance had brought them together in battle or the ensuing rout. The Aftermath “Here and there amidst the slain a blood soaked figure started up, whose wounds had begun to throb with the chill of dawn, and was cut down again by his enemies; some were found lying there alive, with thighs and tendons slashed, baring their necks and throats and begging their conquerors to drain what was left of their blood. The Aftermath “Others were found with their heads buried in holes they had dug in the ground. They had apparently made these pits for themselves, heaping the dirt over their faces to suffocate themselves. The Aftermath “But what was most astonishing was a Numidian with mutilated nose and ears who was dragged out alive from under a dead Roman; the Roman, unable to hold a weapon in his hands, had died in a frenzy of rage, while tearing at the Numidian with his teeth.” https://www.youtube.com/watc h?v=HSl67RtiKQI Who’s to blame? • Livy lays the blame for disaster at Cannae squarely at Varro’s feet (as do other sources) • Varro is portrayed as hotheaded, impatient, and discordant throughout his rise to power and at Cannae • He survives the battle by fleeing What about Paulus? • Portrays Aemilius Paulus as (largely) free from blame and as embodying Roman values of a good leader: Livy on Cannae Paulus’ Final Words: “God bless your courage, Cn. Cornelius…but do not waste in useless pity the little time you have to escape the enemy’s clutches. Go, take this official message to the Senate: they must see to the fortifications of the city of Rome, and secure them with troops, before the victorious enemy arrives. […] For myself, let me breathe my last amidst my men, the victims of this massacre…” (AUC 22.49.9-11) 15.4-5 Roman Reactions & Reforms In hīs tantīs malīs nēmō tamen pācis mentiōnem facere dignātus est. Servī, quod numquam ante factum erat, manūmissī et mīlitēs factī sunt. Consequences of Cannae & Reforms • about 70% of Roman men over the age of 17 (fighting age) are killed – a number slaves are freed and permitted to join the army – criminals are freed in exchange for military service • much of the patrician class (men) is killed • mandated period of mourning for women after becoming widows before dating/remarrying was shortened • celebrations and festivals (Ceres) are canceled • curfews are imposed • army also undergoes tactical reforms The Memory of Cannae “So went the Battle of Cannae. Its fame rivals that of the disaster at the Allia, and, while it was less critical in its outcome (since the enemy stalled thereafter), it was, in losses, even more serious and appalling. For while the rout at the Allia meant the loss of the city, it still saved the army; at Cannae the fleeing consul had with him barely 50 men, and almost the entire army shared the fate of the other consul who died there.” (AUC 22.50.1-3) Livy on Cannae News of the Defeat Reaches Rome “[T]here it had been reported that the army and its leaders were completely annihilated, their forces totally wiped out. At no time ever was there such panic and uproar within the walls of Rome while the city was still safe. […] A consul and his army had been lost at Trasimene the year before, and now it was not a case of the blow being followed by another blow, but by a disaster many times greater.” (AUC 22.54.7-9) Livy on Cannae Enduring Defeat “There is surely no other nation that would not have been crushed by such an overwhelming disaster. One might think of comparing the defeat of the Carthaginians in the sea battle off the Aegates Islands, which crushed their resolve and made them abandon Sicily and Sardinia and accept tax-paying and tributary status. [This disaster] can in no respect be compared to Cannae–except to say that [it was] borne with less strength of character than the Romans bore theirs.” (AUC 22.54.11) WotR Ch. 16: 1. Consequences and Reforms after Cannae 2. Movements in Spain Defection of the Roman Allies Post eam pugnam multae Ītaliae cīvitātēs, quae Rōmānīs pāruerant, sē ad Hannibalem trānstulērunt. 16.1 Hannibal’s Proposition & the Romans’ Response 16.2 Ha nnibal Rōmānīs o btulit , ut captīvōs redimerent; sed respōnsum est ā senātū, eōs cīvēs nōn esse necessāriōs, quī, cum armātī essent, capī potuissent. 16.3 Treatment of the Captives; the Golden Rings Hōs omnēs captīvōs ille posteā variīs suppliciīs interfēcit, et trēs modiōs aureōrum ānulōrum Carthāginem mīsit, quōs manibus equitum Rōmānōrum et senātōrum dētrāxerat. 16.3 The Golden Rings et trēs modiōs aureōrum ānulōrum Carthāginem mīsit, quōs manibus equitum Rōmānōrum et senātōrum dētrāxerat. 16.4 Roman Victories in Spain Intereā in Hispaniā frāter Hannibalis, Hasdrubal, quī ibi remānserat cum magnō exercitū, ā duōbus Scīpiōnibus vincitur, perditque in pugnā trīginta quīnque mīlia hominum.