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Battle of Cannae: Quick Facts

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Facts

Date 216 BCE
Location Italy • Puglia
Participants Carthage • ancient Rome
Context Second Punic War • Punic Wars

Photos and Videos

Three-panel map showing troop movements and positions during the Battle of Cannae on August 2, 216 BCE in the Second Punic War. Roman forces are marked in blue and Carthaginian forces in red, with infantry, cavalry, and skirmishers distinguished by different symbols. The panels illustrate the Roman advance, the Carthaginian encirclement strategy led by Hannibal, and the eventual encirclement and defeat of the Roman army near the river Aufidus. Key locations such as Cannae, Hannibal's camp, and c
Illustration of Hannibal the Carthaginian general wearing a metal helmet and armor, holding a shield decorated with a horse.
How Hannibal's conquests led to the fall of Carthage
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Timeline

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Battle of the Trebbia River
December 218 BCE
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Battle of Trasimene
June 217 BCE
Three-panel map showing troop movements and positions during the Battle of Cannae on August 2, 216 BCE in the Second Punic War. Roman forces are marked in blue and Carthaginian forces in red, with infantry, cavalry, and skirmishers distinguished by different symbols. The panels illustrate the Roman advance, the Carthaginian encirclement strategy led by Hannibal, and the eventual encirclement and defeat of the Roman army near the river Aufidus. Key locations such as Cannae, Hannibal's camp, and c
Battle of Cannae
216 BCE
The western Mediterranean during the Punic Wars
Siege of Syracuse
214 BCE - 212
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Battle of Ilipa
206 BCE
Battle of Zama
Battle of Zama
202 BCE

Key People

Illustration of Hannibal the Carthaginian general wearing a metal helmet and armor, holding a shield decorated with a horse.
Hannibal
Carthaginian general [247-c.181 BCE]
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Maharbal
Carthaginian military commander
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Mago
Carthaginian general

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