The Battle of Cannae

Description: The Battle of Cannae was one of the most decisive battles in ancient history, fought between the Roman Republic and the Carthaginian Empire during the Second Punic War. Test your knowledge about this epic clash with this quiz.
Number of Questions: 15
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Tags: ancient history second punic war military strategy hannibal scipio africanus
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In what year did the Battle of Cannae take place?

  1. 218 BC

  2. 216 BC

  3. 214 BC

  4. 212 BC


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The Battle of Cannae was fought on August 2, 216 BC, during the Second Punic War.

Which military leader commanded the Carthaginian army at Cannae?

  1. Hannibal Barca

  2. Hasdrubal Barca

  3. Maharbal

  4. Bomilcar


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Hannibal Barca, one of the greatest military commanders in history, led the Carthaginian army to victory at Cannae.

Which Roman consul led the Roman army at Cannae?

  1. Lucius Aemilius Paullus

  2. Gaius Terentius Varro

  3. Marcus Livius Salinator

  4. Claudius Nero


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Lucius Aemilius Paullus, a respected Roman general, commanded the Roman army at Cannae.

What was the approximate size of the Carthaginian army at Cannae?

  1. 20,000

  2. 30,000

  3. 40,000

  4. 50,000


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Hannibal's Carthaginian army at Cannae consisted of approximately 50,000 soldiers, including infantry, cavalry, and elephants.

What was the approximate size of the Roman army at Cannae?

  1. 60,000

  2. 70,000

  3. 80,000

  4. 90,000


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The Roman army at Cannae numbered approximately 80,000 soldiers, making it one of the largest Roman armies ever assembled.

What type of military formation did the Romans typically use in battle?

  1. Phalanx

  2. Legion

  3. Hoplite

  4. Testudo


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The Romans employed the legion as their primary military formation, consisting of flexible and disciplined units of infantry.

What type of military formation did the Carthaginians typically use in battle?

  1. Phalanx

  2. Legion

  3. Hoplite

  4. Sacred Band


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Carthaginians often used the phalanx formation, which consisted of densely packed ranks of infantry armed with long spears.

Which military tactic did Hannibal employ at Cannae to encircle and annihilate the Roman army?

  1. Pincer Movement

  2. Double Envelopment

  3. Flanking Maneuver

  4. Fabian Strategy


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Hannibal's brilliant use of the double envelopment tactic allowed him to surround and trap the Roman army, leading to their devastating defeat.

What was the outcome of the Battle of Cannae?

  1. Carthaginian Victory

  2. Roman Victory

  3. Stalemate

  4. Pyrrhic Victory


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Battle of Cannae resulted in a decisive Carthaginian victory, inflicting one of the most catastrophic defeats in Roman history.

How many Roman soldiers were killed in the Battle of Cannae?

  1. 10,000

  2. 20,000

  3. 30,000

  4. 40,000


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The Battle of Cannae resulted in the deaths of approximately 40,000 Roman soldiers, making it one of the deadliest battles in ancient history.

How did the Battle of Cannae impact the course of the Second Punic War?

  1. It ended the war in Carthage's favor.

  2. It led to a Carthaginian invasion of Italy.

  3. It forced Rome to adopt a more defensive strategy.

  4. It resulted in a peace treaty between Rome and Carthage.


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The Battle of Cannae was a major setback for Rome, forcing them to adopt a more cautious and defensive approach in the remaining years of the Second Punic War.

Who was the Roman general who eventually defeated Hannibal and ended the Second Punic War?

  1. Scipio Africanus

  2. Gaius Claudius Nero

  3. Marcus Livius Salinator

  4. Lucius Aemilius Paullus


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Scipio Africanus, known for his military brilliance, led the Roman forces to victory over Hannibal at the Battle of Zama, ending the Second Punic War.

What was the significance of the Battle of Cannae in military history?

  1. It demonstrated the effectiveness of the phalanx formation.

  2. It showcased the importance of cavalry in warfare.

  3. It highlighted the value of strategic deception.

  4. It revealed the vulnerability of the Roman legion.


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The Battle of Cannae is often studied as a classic example of strategic deception, where Hannibal's skillful tactics and use of terrain allowed him to outmaneuver and defeat a numerically superior Roman army.

Which ancient historian is best known for his detailed account of the Battle of Cannae?

  1. Polybius

  2. Livy

  3. Plutarch

  4. Appian


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Polybius, a Greek historian, provided a detailed and insightful account of the Battle of Cannae in his work 'The Histories', which is considered a valuable source of information about the battle.

What is the legacy of the Battle of Cannae in modern military strategy?

  1. It is studied as an example of successful military deception.

  2. It emphasizes the importance of terrain and maneuverability.

  3. It highlights the vulnerability of large and unwieldy armies.

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The Battle of Cannae continues to be studied by military strategists and historians as a classic example of successful military deception, the importance of terrain and maneuverability, and the vulnerability of large and unwieldy armies.

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