Dominic Sandbrook

If they do that, then they will inevitably break through the Carthaginian line because it's so thin relative to the Romans. At the Trebia, the Romans had done that and Hannibal hadn't been able to stop them then from kind of marching off and doing what they wanted. But this time at Cannae, he has planned for this eventuality.

If they do that, then they will inevitably break through the Carthaginian line because it's so thin relative to the Romans. At the Trebia, the Romans had done that and Hannibal hadn't been able to stop them then from kind of marching off and doing what they wanted. But this time at Cannae, he has planned for this eventuality.

So he is assuming that in the long run, the Roman line will break through the Spaniards and the Gauls. And he has kept back the Libyans, who are like a kind of phalanx, great long spears, and equipped with Roman arms and Roman armour. So they actually look quite like the legionaries. And these are Hannibal's best, most disciplined troops. And he has stationed them behind the front line.

So he is assuming that in the long run, the Roman line will break through the Spaniards and the Gauls. And he has kept back the Libyans, who are like a kind of phalanx, great long spears, and equipped with Roman arms and Roman armour. So they actually look quite like the legionaries. And these are Hannibal's best, most disciplined troops. And he has stationed them behind the front line.

So he is assuming that in the long run, the Roman line will break through the Spaniards and the Gauls. And he has kept back the Libyans, who are like a kind of phalanx, great long spears, and equipped with Roman arms and Roman armour. So they actually look quite like the legionaries. And these are Hannibal's best, most disciplined troops. And he has stationed them behind the front line.

and at an angle to it. So that if you imagine the Romans break through the line of the Spaniards and Gauls, the Libyans are like a pair of pincers ready to close in. So the Romans will think that they've broken through. They go rushing forwards. The Libyans will close in and capture them on their flanks. I mean, that is a difficult maneuver to pull off.

and at an angle to it. So that if you imagine the Romans break through the line of the Spaniards and Gauls, the Libyans are like a pair of pincers ready to close in. So the Romans will think that they've broken through. They go rushing forwards. The Libyans will close in and capture them on their flanks. I mean, that is a difficult maneuver to pull off.

and at an angle to it. So that if you imagine the Romans break through the line of the Spaniards and Gauls, the Libyans are like a pair of pincers ready to close in. So the Romans will think that they've broken through. They go rushing forwards. The Libyans will close in and capture them on their flanks. I mean, that is a difficult maneuver to pull off.

But obviously, if it does work, then potentially it's going to be very, very devastating in its effect. So just to try and get our heads around this,

But obviously, if it does work, then potentially it's going to be very, very devastating in its effect. So just to try and get our heads around this,

But obviously, if it does work, then potentially it's going to be very, very devastating in its effect. So just to try and get our heads around this,

He's again backing himself, which is what he always does, that he will be able to inspire the men who are very, very loyal to him in the front row to fight as hard as possible. But it's accepted that at some point it will break. And then he has to hope that the Libyans will be able to play the role that he's assigned them. It's a dangerous, complicated plan, but it is a plan.

He's again backing himself, which is what he always does, that he will be able to inspire the men who are very, very loyal to him in the front row to fight as hard as possible. But it's accepted that at some point it will break. And then he has to hope that the Libyans will be able to play the role that he's assigned them. It's a dangerous, complicated plan, but it is a plan.

He's again backing himself, which is what he always does, that he will be able to inspire the men who are very, very loyal to him in the front row to fight as hard as possible. But it's accepted that at some point it will break. And then he has to hope that the Libyans will be able to play the role that he's assigned them. It's a dangerous, complicated plan, but it is a plan.

And of course, the other factor is that if the Libyans are able to seal the broken line and the front, You also have the cavalry in the rear who can then come up if they've swept away the Roman and Italian cavalry. They can then come galloping around and crash into the rear of the Roman army. And then you will have the whole army surrounded. And this has always been kind of Hannibal's.

And of course, the other factor is that if the Libyans are able to seal the broken line and the front, You also have the cavalry in the rear who can then come up if they've swept away the Roman and Italian cavalry. They can then come galloping around and crash into the rear of the Roman army. And then you will have the whole army surrounded. And this has always been kind of Hannibal's.

And of course, the other factor is that if the Libyans are able to seal the broken line and the front, You also have the cavalry in the rear who can then come up if they've swept away the Roman and Italian cavalry. They can then come galloping around and crash into the rear of the Roman army. And then you will have the whole army surrounded. And this has always been kind of Hannibal's.

you know, dream. This is what he wants. And he will have his battle of annihilation. But as I say, it's a complicated plan. So let's see what happens and see how it works out. So the battle lines are drawn up. And I think there's always this sense of nervous anticipation before it happens. There's lots of maneuvering, there's kind of blasting of trumpets and

you know, dream. This is what he wants. And he will have his battle of annihilation. But as I say, it's a complicated plan. So let's see what happens and see how it works out. So the battle lines are drawn up. And I think there's always this sense of nervous anticipation before it happens. There's lots of maneuvering, there's kind of blasting of trumpets and

you know, dream. This is what he wants. And he will have his battle of annihilation. But as I say, it's a complicated plan. So let's see what happens and see how it works out. So the battle lines are drawn up. And I think there's always this sense of nervous anticipation before it happens. There's lots of maneuvering, there's kind of blasting of trumpets and