The Battle of Cannae, between the Carthaginian general Hannibal and the larger Roman army under the command of the consuls Lucius Aemilius Paulus and Gaius Terentius Varro, in 216 BC, serves still as one of the most influential tactical battles in history. Two enemy forces had to face each other using very different tactics. The Roman Empire had managed to amass a staggering 50,000 or more infantry troops and a disputed 6,000 cavalry troops. The Roman army had to use its vast numbers to subdue the smaller forces of the Carthaginian army using raw force. Hannibal's army, although inferior in quality and quantity to the Roman army, was a mix of experienced fighters. Hannibal used the fighting techniques of the Roman army against himself. Hannibal managed to defeat the much superior army by using his maneuvering ability and knowledge of the opposing force. The tactics employed by Hannibal at Cannae were the weak point of the modern strategic army. Hannibal, the eldest son of Hamilcar Barch, was born in Carthage in 247 BC. At the age of ten Hannibal followed his father to Spain, a region that his father had begun to explore. conquer. Hannibal was elected commander of the Carthaginian army in 221 BC, at the young age of 26 following the death of his father in 229 BC and the death of his brother-in-law in 221 BC (“Hannibal”). It is said that before his father's death Hannibal swore to his father eternal hatred towards the Roman Empire (Lending, 2008). Once in command Hannibal decided to expand control of Carthage and its empire. The battle took place at the Aufidius River, now the Ofanto River, near the city of Cannae. The Roman army was facing south. The Roman cavalry, which numbered between 2,400 and 3,200,......middle of paper......to technical intelligence requirements (United States, I).” As wars continue, we must remain open to applying new strategies and tactics that will keep us on the front lines as one of the most strategically and tactically sound military forces. Works Cited Cavazzi, F. (n.d.). Illustrated history of the Roman Empire. Retrieved from http://www.roman-empire.net/army/cannae.htmlGoodman, R. (1993). Molassia.org. Retrieved from http://www.molossia.org/milacademy/strategy.htmlLendering, J. (2008, March 15). Livy: Articles of ancient history. Retrieved from http://www.livius.org/ha-hd/hannibal/hannibal.htmlHannibal. (n.d.). History.com. Retrieved from http://www.history.com/topics/hannibalUnited States (2006). Multi-Service Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures for Technical Intelligence, Army Field Manual 2-22401, Washington, DC: Headquarters, Department of the Army.