THE BATTLE OF LAKE TRASIMENE
217BC
SUMMARY
The Battle of Lake Trasimene was a brutally successful ambush, with Hannibal’s forces all but annihilating 30,000 Romans in a matter of hours. The battle caused the Romans to have a new respect for Hannibal’s strength and military prowess, and caused them to avoid direct engagements in the future, preferring instead to starve and delay Hannibal’s army.
BACKGROUND
Hannibal had reached Italy and was threatening towns throughout the countryside. In response, Roman general Gaius Flaminius marched to meet Hannibal’s army in battle.
LOCATION
Lake Trasimeno, Italy
THE ROMANS
30,000 men
THE CARTHAGINIANS
55,000 men
BATTLE
Hannibal’s army had severely outmanoeuvred Flaminus’ forces, managing to station themselves between Flaminus and Rome. The Carthaginians prepared an ambush on the shore of Lake Trasimene, and succeeded in catching the Roman forces off guard as they marched. The Romans were completely unprepared for the Carthaginian assault, and had no time to assemble into battle lines. As a result, 15,000 Romans were either killed in the fighting or drowned while trying to escape through the lake.
RESULT
Decisive Carthaginian Victory
CONSEQUENCE
A new Roman military policy of avoiding Hannibal’s forces.
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