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 . of the most influential tactical battles in history. Two enemy forces were to confront each other using very different tactics. The Roman Empire had managed to muster a staggering 50,000 or more infantry troops and a disputed 6,000 cavalry troops. The Roman army had to use its large numbers to subdue the smaller forces of the Carthaginian army using pure force. Hannibal's army, although less in quality and quantity than the Roman army, was a mixture of seasoned fighters. Hannibal used the fighting techniques of the Roman army against itself. Hannibal was able to defeat a far superior army using his ability to maneuver and his knowledge of the opposing force. The tactics Hannibal employed at Cannae were the defeat 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 his father had begun to explore. conquer. Hannibal was elected commander of the Carthaginian army in 221 BC, at the age of 26 after the death of his father in 229 BC and the death of his brother-in-law in 221 BC ("Hannibal"). Before his father's death, Hannibal is said to have sworn to his father an eternal hatred towards the Roman Empire (Lendering, 2008). Once in control, Hannibal decided to expand his control of Carthage and its empire. The battle took place on the Aufidius River, now the Ofanto River, near the town of Cannes. The Roman army faced south. The Roman cavalry, numbering 2,400 to 3,200,...... middle of paper ...... all technical intelligence requirements (US, I). As wars continue, we must remain open to applying new strategies and tactics that will allow us to stay ahead and become one of the most strategically and tactically sound military forces. Works Cited Cavazzi, F. (nd). 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). Livius: Articles on ancient history. Retrieved from http://www.livius.org/ha-hd/hannibal/hannibal.htmlHannibal. (nd). History.com. Retrieved from http://www.history.com/topics/hannibalUnited States (2006). Multi-Service Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures for Technical Intelligence, Army Field Manual 2-22.401, Washington, DC: Headquarters, Department of the Army..