10-09-2019, 05:31 AM
Appian’s account of the Roman Civil wars and anything not related to the Second Punic War are quite coherent. The reason for Appian's account of the Second Punic War is there are many differing accounts written by ancient historians relating to the Second Punic War. I have found many of Appian’s battle accounts have been confused with other battles. At Cannae, Appian has Hannibal extend his cavalry frontage, causing the Romans to extend to a dangerous thinness. Livy explains the Roman cavalry had no room to manoeuvre at Cannae, so perhaps Appian was referring to the Roman left wing. However, I doubt this to be so. Appian has confused his battles, so some event that occurred at Cannae also occurred in another battle, and this caused the mix up.
I also stumbled on a piece of information that confirms Paullus was the prior consul at Cannae and not Varro. I haven’t found this reference in Lazenby, Goldsworthy, Scullard, Lancell, Bagnall and many others.
And another piece of intrigue surfaces. Livy has Fabius Maximus warning Aemilius Paullus when he was leaving Rome for Cannae that Terentius Varro would prove a more dangerous enemy than Hannibal. Fabius Maximus also warned Aemilius Paullus that Varro was ignorant of military science, the nature of this war, was a madman, and ignorant of Hannibal. Fabius Maximus goes on to advice Aemilius Paullus that Hannibal can be defeated by a war of attrition, whereas Terentius Varro’s desire for a battle will play into Hannibal’s hands. In a similar story, Valerius Maximus has the consul Livius Salinator, in 207 BC, before leaving for Rome to face Hasdrubal Barca, has Fabius Maximus warn Livius Salinator not to engage in battle before he had acquainted himself with the Carthaginian’s power and morale. Livius Salinator replied that he would not let pass the first opportunity to fight, which follows Livy’s theme of Terentius Varro’s desire for battle.
Livy does not mention Fabius Maximus giving advice to Livius Salinator. My personal opinion is the event of 207 BC is most likely historical, but has been moved to 216 BC in order to degrade Varro.
I have received emails from some Spanish historians debating the Second Punic War in Spain. They believe there are multiply duplications of events, such as the Illiturgi’s siege. They are also experiencing the same chronology problems I have experienced. These guys prefer to rely on Appian and Zonaras for chronology and geographical order. So Michael, we are not alone.
I also stumbled on a piece of information that confirms Paullus was the prior consul at Cannae and not Varro. I haven’t found this reference in Lazenby, Goldsworthy, Scullard, Lancell, Bagnall and many others.
And another piece of intrigue surfaces. Livy has Fabius Maximus warning Aemilius Paullus when he was leaving Rome for Cannae that Terentius Varro would prove a more dangerous enemy than Hannibal. Fabius Maximus also warned Aemilius Paullus that Varro was ignorant of military science, the nature of this war, was a madman, and ignorant of Hannibal. Fabius Maximus goes on to advice Aemilius Paullus that Hannibal can be defeated by a war of attrition, whereas Terentius Varro’s desire for a battle will play into Hannibal’s hands. In a similar story, Valerius Maximus has the consul Livius Salinator, in 207 BC, before leaving for Rome to face Hasdrubal Barca, has Fabius Maximus warn Livius Salinator not to engage in battle before he had acquainted himself with the Carthaginian’s power and morale. Livius Salinator replied that he would not let pass the first opportunity to fight, which follows Livy’s theme of Terentius Varro’s desire for battle.
Livy does not mention Fabius Maximus giving advice to Livius Salinator. My personal opinion is the event of 207 BC is most likely historical, but has been moved to 216 BC in order to degrade Varro.
I have received emails from some Spanish historians debating the Second Punic War in Spain. They believe there are multiply duplications of events, such as the Illiturgi’s siege. They are also experiencing the same chronology problems I have experienced. These guys prefer to rely on Appian and Zonaras for chronology and geographical order. So Michael, we are not alone.
