Battle of Cannae

Battle of Cannae, military conflict in 216 bc between the Carthaginians (see Carthage) and the Romans, also one of the great battles of the Second Punic War (218-201 bc). At Cannae, in southeastern Italy, Hannibal, leader of the Carthaginian forces, encountered a Roman army much larger than his own. Using his cavalry to destroy the enemy's wings, Hannibal formed his infantry in a hollow crescent, allowing the Romans to gain ground in the center as they advanced. In the meantime, his cavalry defeated the Roman soldiers on the flanks of the formation and then fell upon the Roman rear. The trap was closed as Hannibal's infantry surrounded the enemy on the remaining three sides. The Roman losses were more than 50,000; Hannibal's losses were fewer than 6000.