06-18-2007, 12:01 PM
Sorry Roy, but I think you may be getting a little confused here --- as Matt said, the armies, including the cavalry on both flanks were in full view of each other on a flat plain at Cannae.
Hannibal did successfully ambush the Romans on many occasions, notably the battles of the Trebbia and Trasimene, so your point about Roman lack of reconnaisance/scouting skills is quite valid.
The Romans were handicapped by the lack of enough good quality light cavalry, which Hannibal's Numidians provided in abundance.
In those circumstances, we should not criticise them too much - no doubt Roman generals were well aware of the fact, but were powerless to change the situation . They just had to play the hands they were dealt.
Hannibal did successfully ambush the Romans on many occasions, notably the battles of the Trebbia and Trasimene, so your point about Roman lack of reconnaisance/scouting skills is quite valid.
The Romans were handicapped by the lack of enough good quality light cavalry, which Hannibal's Numidians provided in abundance.
In those circumstances, we should not criticise them too much - no doubt Roman generals were well aware of the fact, but were powerless to change the situation . They just had to play the hands they were dealt.
"dulce et decorum est pro patria mori " - Horace
(It is a sweet and proper thing to die for ones country)
"No son-of-a-bitch ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country" - George C Scott as General George S. Patton
Paul McDonnell-Staff
(It is a sweet and proper thing to die for ones country)
"No son-of-a-bitch ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country" - George C Scott as General George S. Patton
Paul McDonnell-Staff
