Cannae - why bother with the cavalry?

[Timianus]

Hi all
Before I start, I should stress that I realise the Romans were probably always going to do a standard battle plan, and weren't likely to pull of something surprising. However, I don't think this plan involves that much deviation from their standard strategy... or does it?

You are leaving out the human/emotional factor: you had two quarreling consuls who were alternating command of the army each day(which I am sure was great for discipline and unit cohesion) with the largest army Rome had ever assembled in one place. You had a pissed off Senate, and allies who were threatening to leave. The pressure was on for whomever was in command to bring a quick, decisive victory. The army itself was recovering from humiliating defeats and unpopular guerrilla warfare tactics. Also have to consider the Roman "macho" mindset. And again, Rome had never before fielded so many legions. All of these factors combined to produce the "perfect storm" for disaster.

This is all pure speculation, but my own personal belief is that regardless of the the initial set-up, once the Cathaginian center began to fall back, nothing was going to stop the overconfident "get 'em" mentality that led the Romans to their demise. With all the history and emotions that must have been present that day, the Romans were going to rush the center regardless. While a different formation at set-up may have helped mitigate their losses, I don't think it would have mattered at the end of the day.

Hannibal is correctly viewed as being a tactical genius but, IMHO, he won at Cannae because he knew and exploited the psychology of Rome. ..but, I'm just an armchair historian, so take that for what its worth.