Hannibal's Tactics and the Roman Response

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Hannibal's Arrival in Italy

• Hannibal's army crosses the Alps and enters Italy.
• Roman Consul Scipio responds by marching his army towards Hannibal.

Hannibal's Preparation for Battle

• Hannibal inspires his men with a gladiatorial match among captured Celts.
• Metaphor: The warriors represent Hannibal's trapped army; they must fight to survive.
• Scipio encourages his troops with a confident speech.

Battle of Ticinus

• Romans are quickly outmatched by Hannibal's Numidian cavalry.
• Scipio is wounded but saved by his son, Scipio the Younger.
• Romans are humiliated and Celts begin flocking to Hannibal's side.

Roman Senate's Response

• Senate underestimates Hannibal's threat, blaming traitorous Celts.
• Consul Longus is recalled from the south, creating a double consular army with Scipio.

Battle of Trebia

• Lack of coordination between Consuls Scipio and Longus.
• Hannibal uses spies and strategic planning to exploit Longus's hotheaded nature.
• Hannibal sets a trap for the Romans, leads them into an ambush.
• Romans are defeated; Longus obscures his failure from the Senate.

Hannibal Moves South

• Hannibal continues to defeat Roman forces, aiming to turn South Italian allies against Rome.

The Marshland Trek

• Hannibal leads his army through treacherous marshlands to avoid Roman forces.
• Army suffers from exhaustion and disease.

Battle of Lake Trasimene

• Consul Flaminius falls into Hannibal's trap.
• Romans are ambushed in the fog and almost entirely massacred.

Roman Panic and Dictatorship

• Hannibal's victories cause chaos and fear in Rome.
• Rome appoints Fabius Maximus as dictator to handle the crisis.
• Fabius implements a cautious strategy, avoiding direct battles with Hannibal.

The Fabian Strategy

• Fabius avoids direct combat, opting to wear down Hannibal's forces over time.
• Strategy is unpopular but is effective in reducing Roman losses.

Battle of Cannae

• Rome assembles a massive army under Consuls Varro and Paullus.
• Hannibal employs brilliant tactics to encircle and annihilate the Roman force.
• Huge Roman losses; Hannibal achieves a significant victory.

Aftermath and Scipio Africanus

• Despite massive losses, Rome does not surrender.
• Southern Italy defects to Hannibal's side.
• Rising Roman leader Scipio the Younger shows determination to defend Rome.