Hannibal's Masterpiece - Cannae 216 BC - Second Punic War DOCUMENTARY

Video Description

🎥 Watch the rest of our Punic War series and more than 210+ other exclusive videos on youtube: youtube.com/channel/UCMmaBzfCCwZ2KqaBJjkj0fw/join or patreon: https://www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. Support us on Paypal https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/kingsandgenerals as well! Kings and Generals' historical animated documentary series on the history of Rome continues with the sixth episode of our coverage of the Second Punic War with Hannibal's masterpiece the Battle of Cannae in 216 BC. In the summer of 216 BC, the Roman Republic stood on the brink. Strange omens unnerved the city — bleeding statues, red-tinted springs, and lightning strikes. These signs foreshadowed what would become Rome’s most devastating defeat: the Battle of Cannae. As Hannibal Barca advanced through Apulia, the Romans assembled an unprecedented force of nearly 90,000 men under Consuls Aemilius Paulus and Terentius Varro. While both men held command on alternating days, their strategic differences quickly became apparent. Rome’s plan was multi-layered, targeting Hannibal’s allies in Italy, Spain, and North Africa. Yet the Carthaginian general consistently outmaneuvered his enemies, setting up ambushes and choosing battlefields that played to his strengths. Near the village of Cannae, he chose flat terrain ideal for cavalry — and baited the Romans into attacking. As their heavy infantry pressed forward, Hannibal's center fell back by design, drawing the legions into a trap. Hidden flanks of Libyan infantry closed in, while his superior cavalry returned to attack the Roman rear. What followed was a massacre: tens of thousands of Romans were killed or captured. This video traces the full arc of the campaign — from strategy and tactics to personal bravery and catastrophic loss — showing how Hannibal achieved one of history’s greatest military victories. Caesar in Gaul: youtu.be/LRV185XaMIM Caesar against Pompey: youtu.be/_O5DshzvUsk How Caesar Won the Great Roman Civil War: youtu.be/o8F8IajtW9U What Happened In Rome After Caesar's Assassination: youtu.be/jfBsb_-h-_M Medieval Battles: www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaBYW76inbX46r95D4BjCxiJz7-OeyOtW Roman History: www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaBYW76inbX6WrNCeL_AdR36ZIODiGNzq Marcus Aurelius: youtu.be/cLtDWIsOs1E Aurelian: youtu.be/YQHNaemGOoI Milvian Bridge: youtu.be/VbFtMXytMj8 Script: Arnaldo Teodarani Animation: Antoni Kameran Illustration: Banskie Ayuban Machinima: MalayArcher using Total War: Rome II engine Narration: Officially Devin ✔ Merch store ► https://teespring.com/stores/kingsandgenerals ✔ Patreon ► https://www.patreon.com/KingsandGenerals ✔ Podcast ► http://www.kingsandgenerals.net/podcast/ ✔ PayPal ► http://paypal.me/kingsandgenerals ✔ Twitter ► https://twitter.com/KingsGenerals ✔ Facebook ► https://www.facebook.com/KingsGenerals ✔ Instagram ►http://www.instagram.com/Kings_Generals #Caesar #PunicWar #RomanHistory 00:00 – Omens and Roman Anxiety 01:07 – Roman Military Strategy and Mobilization 04:13 – Leadership and Pre-Battle Maneuvers before Cannae 08:04 – Initial Skirmishes and Tactical Positioning 10:04 – Deployment and Start of the Battle 16:50 – Encirclement and Roman Defeat Production Music courtesy of Epidemic Sound: http://www.epidemicsound.com