6. The Battlefield at Cannae
The open plains near the village of Cannae, framed by the Aufidus River, offered an ideal setting for tactical ingenuity. Hannibal chose this location with precision, knowing the flat terrain would accommodate Rome’s massed infantry while giving his diverse forces room to maneuver. The summer heat and swirling dust further disadvantaged the packed Roman ranks. By exploiting the geography, Hannibal set the stage for his signature encirclement.
