Battle of Lake Trasimene (217 BC)
Hannibal encountered the consul Flaminius and gets him to chase a small part of his army along a lake on a foggy day. Suddenly, Hannibal's army marches out of the hills and attacks. The Romans are not in formation and get slaughtered. Another decisive victory.
Estimated losses (including captures): Romans: 25,000 Carthaginians: 5,000
Estimated losses (including captures): Romans: 25,000 Carthaginians: 5,000
The Battle of Lake Trasimene must rank in history as one of the most masterly examples ever of the successful ambush. -Tony Bath
In short order, Hannibal had destroyed one of Rome's two consular armies and left the other virtually immobilized. It was complete and utter humiliation for the Romans. For Hannibal, it was a stunning display of good judgment on the part of a commander. -Barry Strauss
Hannibal knew his enemy and patiently drew them into his trap. He showed his adaptability by hiding thousands of men in hills which isn't an easy task.
This was the famous battle at Trasumennus, and a disaster for Rome memorable as few others have been. Fifteen thousand Romans were killed in action; 1000 fugitives were scattered all over Etruria and reached the City by diverse routes. -Titus Livius |
The Battle of Lake Trasimene must rank in history as one of the most masterly examples ever of the succesful ambush. -Tony Bath |
When the magnitude of the defeat was confirmed, demands were made for the appointment of a dictator with full imperium. Such an appointment had not been made since 30 years earlier. -Titus Livius
Fabius the Delayer
Fabius would follow Hannibal around, not attacking him, but not letting him out of his sight. The Romans did not like this. Especially when Hannibal got out of Fabius' trap. Fabius had Hannibal cornered, but Hannibal escaped in a strange but clever way.
He ties branches to cattle, sets them on fire, and releases them at the Romans.
He ties branches to cattle, sets them on fire, and releases them at the Romans.
When the men who were guarding the pass saw fires moving above them high up on the mountains, they thought that their position was turned, and they hastily quitted it. Making their way up to the highest points, they took the direction where there appeared to be the fewest flames, thinking this to be the safest road. Even so, they came across stray oxen separated from the herd, and at first sight they stood still in astonishment at what seemed a preternatural sight of beings breathing fire. When it turned out to be simply a human device they were still more alarmed at what they suspected was an ambuscade, and they took to flight -Titus Livius
Hannibal was able to escape the Romans.
Hannibal's army thus escaped without hurt, and moreover, on the following morning a detachment sent back to extricate the drivers and light troops... and slaughtered almost a thousand of them -Tony Bath |
...he had skillfully extracted himself from a potentially dangerous position and in doing so had humliated the Romans. -Barry Strauss |
This made Fabius unpopular. The Senate made a man named Minucius his equal. He went off to fight Hannibal....and got caught in Hannibal's trap. Luckily, Fabius was there and saved his army from total destruction.