Comments on: Second Punic War: Battle of Cannae http://www.historynet.com/second-punic-war-battle-of-cannae.htm?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=second-punic-war-battle-of-cannae From the World's Largest History Magazine Publisher Wed, 15 Feb 2012 00:45:11 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Doug Ashcroft http://www.historynet.com/second-punic-war-battle-of-cannae.htm#comment-784860 Doug Ashcroft Mon, 19 Dec 2011 11:46:12 +0000 #comment-784860 I am surprised that the article, well written as it was, completely ignored the tactics of Fabius Maximus , Cunctator the delayer. He played a large part in cutting off the supply of fresh troops to Hannibal. Hence Hannibal had a steadily ageing and reducing army. Cunctator avoided direct battle with Hannibal and merely observed him from the heights whilst cutting off Hannibals reinforcements and supplies. I am surprised that the article, well written as it was, completely ignored the tactics of Fabius Maximus , Cunctator the delayer. He played a large part in cutting off the supply of fresh troops to Hannibal. Hence Hannibal had a steadily ageing and reducing army.

Cunctator avoided direct battle with Hannibal and merely observed him from the heights whilst cutting off Hannibals reinforcements and supplies.

]]> By: Frank http://www.historynet.com/second-punic-war-battle-of-cannae.htm#comment-381819 Frank Thu, 02 Dec 2010 17:15:00 +0000 #comment-381819 According to the official census figures, at beginning of Second Punic War in 216 there were about a million free persons in the Roman state. By 218 there were 16 or 17 legions under arms in the entire Mediterranean theatre, 8 of which were in the army facing Hannibal at Cannae. Most of the other legions were under strength, but those at Cannae numbered around 5,000 legionaries each, although the number of effectives always varies in the course of any campaign. Two new legions were formed from the survivors of the battle, so that 6 legions were lost. That would bring the casualties to around 30,000, not counting cavalry and light infantry losses. These numbers come from Delbruck's History of Art of War, vol. I, pp. 340-341 in the Bison Books edition of 1990. Delbruck remains the most critical analyst of numbers in war, especially in antiquity, and his work remains probably the greatest analytical discussion of warfare, as opposed to simple narrative. According to the official census figures, at beginning of Second Punic War in 216 there were about a million free persons in the Roman state. By 218 there were 16 or 17 legions under arms in the entire Mediterranean theatre, 8 of which were in the army facing Hannibal at Cannae. Most of the other legions were under strength, but those at Cannae numbered around 5,000 legionaries each, although the number of effectives always varies in the course of any campaign. Two new legions were formed from the survivors of the battle, so that 6 legions were lost. That would bring the casualties to around 30,000, not counting cavalry and light infantry losses. These numbers come from Delbruck's History of Art of War, vol. I, pp. 340-341 in the Bison Books edition of 1990. Delbruck remains the most critical analyst of numbers in war, especially in antiquity, and his work remains probably the greatest analytical discussion of warfare, as opposed to simple narrative.

]]> By: Daniel http://www.historynet.com/second-punic-war-battle-of-cannae.htm#comment-189464 Daniel Sat, 06 Feb 2010 08:26:19 +0000 #comment-189464 Yes I agree, I have read some other sources which quote Polybius and I have found he had a tendency to over exaggerate. Was he present at the battle?? Was he one of the 15,000 men who survived?? Or did he just create his recount from letters of the soldiers or the surviving senators who were present.... Yes I agree, I have read some other sources which quote Polybius and I have found he had a tendency to over exaggerate. Was he present at the battle?? Was he one of the 15,000 men who survived?? Or did he just create his recount from letters of the soldiers or the surviving senators who were present….

]]> By: Thomas http://www.historynet.com/second-punic-war-battle-of-cannae.htm#comment-90556 Thomas Sun, 19 Jul 2009 16:21:39 +0000 #comment-90556 I have always questionned the numbers cited for Cannae. Close to 80,000 men on the battlefield for the romans ? Such numbers would only be achieved in Europe in the early 19th century (Napoleon at Waterloo had less than 80,000 men for example). Casualties of 50,000 for the romans ? Estimated roman population at the time is about 300,000. When adding up the casualties from lake trasimene and la Trebia where the romans had been defeated as well this simply sounds incredible. Further more I am not sure it is technically possible to slaughter that many armed men in one afternoon using primitive weaponry. These kind of casualties were never achieved even during WWI or WWII with much more lethal weapon systes and higher number of soldiers... Has anyone done any research on the subject and are there sources other than Polybius ? I have always questionned the numbers cited for Cannae. Close to 80,000 men on the battlefield for the romans ? Such numbers would only be achieved in Europe in the early 19th century (Napoleon at Waterloo had less than 80,000 men for example). Casualties of 50,000 for the romans ? Estimated roman population at the time is about 300,000. When adding up the casualties from lake trasimene and la Trebia where the romans had been defeated as well this simply sounds incredible. Further more I am not sure it is technically possible to slaughter that many armed men in one afternoon using primitive weaponry. These kind of casualties were never achieved even during WWI or WWII with much more lethal weapon systes and higher number of soldiers… Has anyone done any research on the subject and are there sources other than Polybius ?

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