The 2nd Punic War in 3 Battles: Cannae, Rome's Iconic Defeat

Cannae is one of history's most famous battles, however, there are many problems with our current understanding of the engagement. This documentary examines the sources, the strategic background, the men, the armies and the tactics to illuminate a much more accurate account of events; a model with which many people may be unfamiliar.

[chris_yang]

Wow, this content blows me away. Great historiography on display.

[javiersoto]

This is fantastically researched and presented, great job.

[jonathanbaron-crangle]

An excellent presentation, & the description of the crushing effect killing the ability to fight was supurb.

[raf]

Thus channel deserves far more followers. Thank you for your videos

[adamc]

An excellently presented and well researched analysis, subscribing.

[rtk]

Well put together and explained, appreciate the work you put into this, thanks.

[hypohystericalhistory]

This is a repost from my other channel, im just going to post my stuff here from now on.

[vladimirpoutine]

I started a History channel video about Cannae and I could only watch about 15 seconds. “Hannibal the Annihilator”!!!!

No thank you.

This is a much better presentation. Appreciate your work

[rilesbronson]

Finally someone mentions the discontinuous nature of pre-gunpowder combat. Love your explanation of the closing stages of the battle. Awesome video.

[thelaughingprophet]

Thankyou once again for your well researched, well presented breakdown of this battle and the structures behind it. You have no equal in your work that I am aware of.

[davidworthen]

Wonderful content. I would like to suggest your future episodes should include the rest of South Pacific campaigns, the reading of the Haynes maintenance manual for the Mad Max Interceptor and the phone book for a major city in Australia or New Zealand.

[animula]

I’m only finding 2 battles when I look for the series Punic war in 3 battles. :( it’s a good series, so if anyone can point me to the third one, I’d be grateful.

[NiallLynch]

I think a lot has to be said for Romes dogged determination, as a reason for why they were not defeated after Cannae. A lot of powers back in that day would have come to terms after loosing what amounted to over 10% of their fighting age population. The culture of honour layed down by the mos maiorum was as powerful as their heavy infantry when it came to their early victories over adversity. Great video dude!

[karinschultz]

Interesting synopsis, the defeat of a large Roman army by constraining their maneuvering ability makes perfect sense. On Varro vs Paullus disagreement, your point is well taken. Given the paucity of ancient sources, the bias inherent in these 'histories" is not often discussed. Roman politics was a cutthroat affair, and Varro, like Paullus, progressed up the cursus honorum, to get their consular positions. Irrespective of their class, both were qualified to lead and army.

[reallyhappenings]

I really felt the terror of the Romans during that discussion of compression and chaos!

[Karate_Shark]

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Great job, and great content!
How/Why, in your opinion, did the campaign fail after so many fantastic victories accomplished by Hannibal Barca?

[sarcasmo]

Came for the history, came again riding bareback.

[frenstcht]

One author describes Cannae this way: Before Cannae, Rome went to battle; after Cannae, Rome went to war.

[mizroba.]

i think there's a mix up with Hasdrubal son of Hamilcar and Hasdrubal his son-in-law. After Hamilcar's death his son-in-law took the leadership. am i wrong?

[bookaufman]

This telling of the tale is very different from one I just heard three or four days ago by Lindy beige. It doesn't seem to involve the Romans having to cross the river. I know the involvement of the river is disputed but that's how I've mostly heard this told.