How could the Romans have won the battle of Cannae?

They could have given even the most basic thought towards tactics, rather than charging in blindly. While the tactical genius of Hannibal should not be forgotten, it really was the Roman commanders who caused Rome's loss at Cannae. read more

On the day of the battle Varro (at least so was claimed) disregarded any strategy since he wanted the battle to be won on his watch. He ordered a charge and fell right into the trap. Once in the trap Romans soldiers were largely helpless as they were encircled. read more

1. The Romans should have retained their traditional formation, which resembled a chequerboard. It was designed for both flexibility and strength, but Varro made the lines deeper. This left them hardly any room to maneuver, once they had engaged. 2. When the battle had begun, initially the Romans found themselves with the upper hand. read more

The Battle of Cannae (/ ˈ k æ n i, -eɪ, -aɪ /) was a major battle of the Second Punic War that took place on 2 August 216 BC in Apulia, in southeast Italy. The army of Carthage, under Hannibal, surrounded and decisively defeated a larger army of the Roman Republic under the consuls Lucius Aemilius Paullus and Gaius Terentius Varro. read more