The Battle of Cannae

Considered to be the worst defeat ever suffered by the Roman army, the battle of Cannae was fought on the plains of central Italy on August 2, 216 BC. Although a crushing defeat for the Romans, Cannae was Hannibal's finest hour. In fact, the tactics he employed there are still studied and used today. Due to the combination of Hannibal's tactical genius, the superior Carthaginian cavalry, and the poor leadership of the Roman army, the Carthaginians were …

…of Carthage at the Battle of Zama. After the loss, he advised that Carthage surrender. Carthage did, and paid a terrible price. She was forced to give up her empire, allowed only a miniscule army and navy, and become a client of Rome. http://www.barca.fsnet.co.uk/punic-wars-basics.htm http://www.fact-index.com/b/ba/battle_of_cannae.html http://history.boisestate.edu/westciv/punicwar/09.htm http://www.roman-empire.net/army/cannae.html