Directory

216 BCE

The Battle of Cannae (east of Naples) ends in victory for Hannibal whose 50,000-man army defeats a Roman force of 86,000 led by consuls Lucius Aemilius Paullus (who is killed in the battle) and Gaius Terentius Varro. 50,000-70,000 Roman troops are killed, making this perhaps the deadliest one-day battle in all history. Following Hannibal's victory, many regions begin to defect from Rome, while others are conquered by Hannibal's forces. In Apulia, Lucania, Samnium and in Bruttium, Hannibal finds many supporters. After the defeat at Cannae, Roman general, Marcus Claudius Marcellus, commands the remnants of the Roman army at Canusium and saves the city of Nola and southern Campania from occupation by Hannibal.

Conflict & Security

  • August 2 – The Battle of Cannae (east of Naples) ends in victory for Hannibal whose 50,000-man army defeats a Roman force of 86,000 led by consuls Lucius Aemilius Paullus (who is killed in the battle) and Gaius Terentius Varro. 50,000-70,000 Roman troops are killed, making this perhaps the deadliest one-day battle in all history.source
  • Roman forces in Spain led by Gnaeus Cornelius Scipio Calvus and Publius Cornelius Scipio successfully thwart Hasdrubal's attempt to march to Italy.source
  • The city of Capua switches sides to join Hannibal and the Carthaginian army winters there.source
  • Following Hannibal's victory, many regions begin to defect from Rome, while others are conquered by Hannibal's forces. In Apulia, Lucania, Samnium and in Bruttium, Hannibal finds many supporters.source
  • The Carthaginian general, Hannibal, moves his forces southward through Italy and seizes the large army supply depot at Cannae on the Aufidus River.source
  • The Roman historian Quintus Fabius Pictor is sent to Delphi in Greece to consult the Oracle for advice about what Rome should do after its defeat in the Battle of Cannae.source
  • A Roman force of 25,000 led by Lucius Postumius Albinus is ambushed by Gauls near Litana and almost completely wiped out.source
  • The Carthaginian fleet ravages the territory of The Kingdom of Syracuse.source
  • After the defeat at Cannae, Roman general, Marcus Claudius Marcellus, commands the remnants of the Roman army at Canusium and saves the city of Nola and southern Campania from occupation by Hannibal.source
  • A revolt of the Egyptian peasants is put down by Ptolemy IV.source
  • A loan of money and supplies for the Roman army in Sicily is sought and obtained from Hiero II of Syracuse.source
  • Philip V of Macedon, still resenting Rome's interference in Illyrian politics, seizes his opportunity to invade Illyria. Ambassadors from Philip V visit Hannibal at his headquarters in Italy. These actions mark the beginning of the First Macedonian War between Rome and Macedonia.source

Exploration & Expansion

  • Hasdrubal is ordered by the Carthaginian government to march to Italy.source

Births

  • Liu Pi, Chinese prince and general of the Han Dynasty (d. 154 BC)source

Deaths

  • August 2 – Gnaeus Servilius Geminus, Roman consul 217 BC (killed in the Battle of Cannae)source
  • August 2 – Lucius Aemilius Paullus, Roman consul and general (killed in the Battle of Cannae)source
  • August 2 – Marcus Minucius Rufus, Roman consul 221 BC, Master of the Horse 217 BC (killed in the Battle of Cannae)source
  • Marcus Aemilius Lepidus, Roman consul 232 BC and priest (augur)source