1. The Battle of Cannae (216 BCE)
In 216 BCE, during the Second Punic War, Hannibal’s Carthaginian forces achieved a decisive victory over the Roman Republic at the Battle of Cannae. Despite being outnumbered, Hannibal’s army employed a double envelopment tactic, encircling and annihilating the Roman legions. This battle remains a masterclass in military strategy and a profound humiliation for Rome, with estimated Roman casualties ranging from 55,000 to 70,000 (britannica.com).
