8 – He Used Oxen to Create a Fake Army
After the catastrophe at Cannae in 216 BC, the Romans knew they had no choice but to return to the cautious Fabian strategy. Fabius Maximus was a shrewd and calculating commander, and he was clever enough to realize that meeting Hannibal in open battle was akin to signing his death warrant. By keeping Hannibal at bay, Fabius was able to give Rome time to boost its army and armaments.
Fabius had also been the commander before Cannae, and he came close to capturing the great general in 217 BC. Hannibal walked into a trap because of faulty directions from his guide. By the time he reached a low field called Ager Falernus, he could see that the Romans were in the hills and had completely trapped his army. It seemed as if he only had two choices; surrender or risk a massacre. However, Hannibal had a very different idea, one that completely outfoxed Fabius.
At night, Hannibal ordered his men to gather 2,000 oxen. Then he told them to tie bundles of wood to the oxen’s horns and set the wood on fire. The Romans, believing that it was a Carthaginian attempt to escape, were utterly confused when they heard further sounds which happened to be the actual Carthaginian army escaping through the weakest held route. As always, Fabius was cautious and elected to hold his position without realizing he had let Hannibal get away.
Soon afterward, Fabius’s Master of the Horse, Minucius, grew restless at his commander’s cautiousness and attacked Hannibal when Fabius was not around. The fight at Geronium was a setback for Rome as Hannibal got the upper hand once again. Only the swift arrival or Fabius prevented total annihilation. Although Hannibal had made fools of the Romans, he regarded Fabius’ rescue as a defeat for his army.
