05-06-2004, 05:14 PM
I think that Hannibal <em>could</em> have accomplished something after Cannae... in just the same way that Alcibiades <em>could</em> have accomplished something at Syracuse... capitalizing on initial successes to make a sweep of it rather than get drawn into a protracted battle (as Nicias did). Of course, this is all speculation and worthless speculation at that, but I think that Hannibal could have taken Rome immediately after Cannae, and I think that Alcibiades could have taken Syracuse or exacted its surrender within weeks if he hadn't been recalled.<br>
Just my two obols. <p></p><i></i>
Just my two obols. <p></p><i></i>
Dan Diffendale
Ph.D. candidate, University of Michigan
Ph.D. candidate, University of Michigan