Versus Match 216 BC: You versus Hannibal Barca

[Lord Sovereign]

By the grace of Jupiter Optimus Maximus, you have replaced Gaius Terentius Varro as the commander of the largest field army in Roman history. It is the year 216 BC, the day 2nd of August, and Hannibal's Carthaginian army is formed up to face you in a funny crescent formation on the battlefield of Cannae.

How do you proceed, Consul? Adopt a strategy other than "hurr durr, just smash through his centre", or do you even fight at all? The choice is yours.

As for myself, at the very least I'd keep a few legions in reserve. Those might come in handy to repel flanking attacks or to reinforce the main line.

 

[King Arts]

Damn it’s been a while since I looked up the battle of Canae. But would it be a good idea to fight defensively? That way your army won’t go through the Carthaginian center and end up encircled? Try and make Hannibal attack you so you don’t pursue him and overextend.

 

[Sailor.X]

Construct Balistias for range combat. Have some of my men dig trench works in strategic locations. And have some of my men get me some Coal, Sulphur and Saltpeter. And if they don't know what it is I say find a freaking Bat Cave and bring me the Dunky. I have some of my men bring me as many clay jars are they can find and some fine cloth to cut into strips. I also draw up the plans for a medium sized Trebuchet. My goal once I make some Gunpowder and Balistas is to kite Hannibals forces from range to wear them down. The explosions will send panic into his ranks doing plenty of damage form via confusion.

 

[bintananth]

I'd avoid charging in and make Hannibal come to me.

My army is almost twice the size of his. I'm also operating in what's effectively my back yard and can detatch a portion of my army to go attack Carthage ... which he must respond to and pretty much exactly what the Romans did after recovering from the disaster that was Cannae.

 

[Knowledgeispower]

Of course you don't have Supreme Command for any significant period of time you're alternating it every day with your fellow Consul

 

[bintananth]

Of course you don't have Supreme Command for any significant period of time you're alternating it every day with your fellow Consul

Which was a constant problem for the Roman Army. It usually wasn't quite as bad as the situation at Cannae but the Romans never really had anyone who could say "Here's what we're going to do" while being confident that the plan would be implemented instead of being sabotaged by a political rival unless someone had been appointed to the office of Dictator.

 

[Knowledgeispower]

Which was a constant problem for the Roman Army. It usually wasn't quite as bad as the situation at Cannae but the Romans never really had anyone who could say "Here's what we're going to do" while being confident that the plan would be implemented instead of being sabotaged by a political rival unless someone had been appointed to the office of Dictator.

Or you where lucky enough that one Consul stayed in Rome or where in different armies. And even then that might not be the case next year

 

[bintananth]

Or you where lucky enough that one Consul stayed in Rome or where in different armies. And even then that might not be the case next year

It's amazing they accomplished as much as they did because "Ancient Rome" and "politically stable" do not belong in the same sentence.

 

[Knowledgeispower]

It's amazing they accomplished as much as they did because "Ancient Rome" and "politically stable" do not belong in the same sentence.

At least Ancient Rome didn't have political violence really be a thing until after they had secured the heart of its domain

 

[Captain X]

It isn't that Hannibal faced the Romans in a crescent formation, it's that he feigned a retreat into a crescent formation, and in the fog of war, the center elements did not realize that the flanks had not retreated, and thus pressed what they thought was an advantage. Since I am aware of this move, I make sure to order my center elements not to advance on their own. I can't remember if the Romans had any cavalry, but if they do, I would send that against one of Hannibal's flanks and focus an attack there.

 

[gral]

I can't remember if the Romans had any cavalry, but if they do, I would send that against one of Hannibal's flanks and focus an attack there.

Roman cavalry was driven out of the field by the more numerous Carthaginian one, IIRC.

 

[Lord Sovereign]

Roman cavalry was driven out of the field by the more numerous Carthaginian one, IIRC.

Hannibal driving off your cavalry is a all but pre-requisite for his win. Given the Romans have such a massive numerical superiority, perhaps the deployment of infantry reserves to shore up the cavalry might prove decisive. Because if you defeat the Carthaginian cavalry, the battle of Cannae is as good as lost for Hannibal.

 

[ATP]

By the grace of Jupiter Optimus Maximus, you have replaced Gaius Terentius Varro as the commander of the largest field army in Roman history. It is the year 216 BC, the day 2nd of August, and Hannibal's Carthaginian army is formed up to face you in a funny crescent formation on the battlefield of Cannae.

How do you proceed, Consul? Adopt a strategy other than "hurr durr, just smash through his centre", or do you even fight at all? The choice is yours.

As for myself, at the very least I'd keep a few legions in reserve. Those might come in handy to repel flanking attacks or to reinforce the main line.

Considering,that i would knew greek tactis,i would use Thebian tactic used to crush Spartans - most forces on right wing and attack there.

 

[Rhyse]

I need no tactics. I have my strong legions, and Jupiter on my side. Victory is assured as true as the sun rises each morning. Ave.

 

[Lord Sovereign]

I need no tactics. I have my strong legions, and Jupiter on my side. Victory is assured as true as the sun rises each morning. Ave.

Whilst the victory and glory of Rome is fated, there can be quite a few bumps on the way if we aren't careful. The favour of the gods can only carry us so far.

 

[King Arts]

I need no tactics. I have my strong legions, and Jupiter on my side. Victory is assured as true as the sun rises each morning. Ave.

Varro and Pallus probably said the same thing.