Battle of Cannae

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Article abstract: Type of action: Major ground battle in the Second Punic War. Result: The total annihilation of a large Roman army with minimum Carthaginian losses.

In the aftermath of the heavy losses at Tinicus (218 b.c.e.), the Trebia (218-217 b.c.e.), and Lake Trasimene (217 b.c.e.), the Senate was determined to defeat Hannibal. In the elections of 216 b.c.e., Gaius Terentius Varro, a man of the lower class (his father was a butcher), was elected consul. In response, the Senate elected Lucius Aemilius Paulus as consul (his family was respected by the...

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