Time for the big one. Cannae is one of the most famous battles of antiquity. Not only did Rome suffer a crushing defeat but the tactics behind the victory have been studied by generals and military tacticians ever since.

In this episode I discuss what happened in the lead up to it, trust me there's a drama at every turn. From dictators to deceptive cattle. Then there's the battle itself which I try to unpack to see how each side approached it and what tactics were used. Aside from the brutality and bloodshed there's a lot to get into.

Full transcription and episode notes (with maps, diagrams and a reading list) on www.ancientblogger.com

Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Instrumental).