PAULLUS and GAIUS TERENTIUS VARRO. It was decided to test Hannibal's
strength once more in open battle. His army was only half as strong as
the Roman in infantry, but was much superior in cavalry.

In the early summer of 216 the Consuls concentrated their forces at
CANNAE, a hamlet near the mouth of the Aufidus. Early one morning in
June the Romans massed their troops on the left bank of the river,
with their cavalry on either wing, the right under Paullus, and the
left under Varro. The Proconsul Servilius commanded the centre.

The Carthaginians were drawn up in the form of a crescent, flanked by
cavalry. Both armies advanced to the attack at the same time. The
onset was terrible; but though the Romans fought with a courage
increased by the thought that their homes, wives, and children were at
stake, they were overwhelmed on all sides. Seventy thousand fell on
the field, among whom were Paullus, Servilius, many officers, and
eighty men of senatorial rank. This was the most crushing defeat ever
experienced by the Romans. All Southern Italy, except the Latin
colonies and the Greek cities on the coast, went over to Hannibal.




CHAPTER XV.

THE SECOND PUNIC WAR.-FROM CANNAE TO THE BATTLE OF ZAMA (216-202).


ROME was appalled; but though defeated, she was not subdued. All the
Latin allies were summoned for aid in the common peril. Boys and old