In the autumn of 218, Hannibal had led his army across the Alps and had defeated the Roman commanders, Publius Cornelius Scipio and Tiberius Sempronius Longus, at the rivers Ticinus and Trebia, tributaries of the Po.
The presence of an enemy south of the Alps greatly alarmed the Romans, and the consuls of the year 217, Gnaeus Servilius Geminus and the popular Gaius Flaminius, knew they were supposed to do something.
No less than eleven legions were active, and it was decided to give up the plains of the Po, where the Carthaginian cavalry could not be defeated. Instead, Hannibal was permitted to invade Etruria, where the hills were better suited for Roman heavy infantry.
Hannibal understood the nature of his enemies, and also the ambition of the Roman consuls for military glory in their limited tenure. Polybius (3.82.10) tells us that "As he marched Hannibal continued to devastate the countryside..."
Image: 'Hannibal the Conqueror', Goya (1770)
Image: 'Hannibal the Conqueror', Goya (1770)
"...with fire and sword, with the deliberate intention of provoking his opponents to battle."
His plan worked.
Hannibal moved along the north shore of Lake Trasimene setting an ambush. Polybius (3.83.2-4) gives us much information on the disposition of Hannibal’s forces.
His plan worked.
Hannibal moved along the north shore of Lake Trasimene setting an ambush. Polybius (3.83.2-4) gives us much information on the disposition of Hannibal’s forces.
Flaminius, eager to exact revenge for the devastation of the countryside, and facing increasing political criticism from Rome, marched out against Hannibal. Flaminius, like his predecessor Sempronius, was impetuous, overconfident, and lacking in self-control.
"Though every other person in the council advised safe rather than showy measures, urging that he should wait for his colleague, in order that joining their armies, they might carry on the war with united courage and counsels..."
"...Flaminius, in a fury... gave out the signal for marching for battle" (Livy, 22.3).
The ambush itself took place on 24 June 217 BC and is typically regarded as one of the great military manoeuvres.
The ambush itself took place on 24 June 217 BC and is typically regarded as one of the great military manoeuvres.
The situation was a disaster for Rome. Two legions were destroyed. A second success followed when Maharbal and the Carthaginian cavalry destroyed 4000 Roman cavalry sent by Servilius near Assisi (Polybius 3.86.3).
The outcome of the battle had one key impact on the war, however, as the Romans appointed Quintus Fabius as Dictator: "a man of admirable character and supreme intelligence" (Polybius 3.87.4-6). His appointment would change the course of the campaign.
For an interesting study of the announcement of the defeat at Trasimene, see:
Kubler, Anne. “Roman Matrons, Guardians of Memory: the Announcement of the Defeat at Trasimene.” Clio. Women, Gender, History, no. 46, 2017, pp. 246–263.
jstor.org/stable/26795735
#AHQOTD
Kubler, Anne. “Roman Matrons, Guardians of Memory: the Announcement of the Defeat at Trasimene.” Clio. Women, Gender, History, no. 46, 2017, pp. 246–263.
jstor.org/stable/26795735
#AHQOTD
