Ambush of Lake Trasimene

The year is 217 B.C. and Hannibal has just won a decisive victory giving him supplies and new allies from the oppressed Gallic tribes.  Two new consuls are appointed to deal with Hannibal, Servilius Geminus and Caius Flaminius.  Consul Geminus had orders to protect the roads leading to Rome, and Consul Flaminius was ordered to protect the Apennine passes.  Both Consuls moved fast, but Hannibal moved faster and passed Consul Flaminius, pillaging as he went and was able to get Flaminius to give chase. Hannibal was traveling down the Malpasso road on the north side of the Lake Trasimene, he noticed that the road narrowed here and ended in a small valley.  To the right of the road was the lake and on the left a wooded slope that stretched alongside it from point of entry all the way to the small valley.  In his mind Hannibal thought this to be a perfect location for an ambush, one that would be known as the largest successful ambush in military history.  With the Romans behind a day Hannibal set to work immediately, setting camp in the small valley at the end of the road.  The strength of the Roman legion numbered at about 40,000 thousand while Hannibal’s army was in between 40 to 50,000 strong (Civilian Military Intelligence Group).  After making camp in the valley Hannibal started to line his troops along the road, placing his Spanish heavy infantry combined with Hannibal’s elite veterans to guard the camp and pin the Roman column.  Hannibal then placed his cavalry and heavy Gallic infantry further up the road hidden in the wooded slopes to stop any Roman retreat.  To finish his trap Hannibal placed the rest of his force, the light infantry, into the bushes and low brush along the flatter ground between the slopping woods and valley surrounded by hills.  This formation would entrap the traveling Roman column and push them into the lake.  As night fell Hannibal sent some skirmishers further down the valley with instructions to light camp fires.  This was a rouse to trick the Romans into thinking the Carthaginians had made camp at a greater distance than they really were.  The next morning visibility was terrible because of fog that had risen from the lake during the night.  Hannibal’s officers were told the day before to hold position and only attack when the signal was given.  As the Roman column made their way down the road, it was apparent that the expected no opposition.  The only Romans in a defensive formation was the Roman vanguard, the rest of the column was in an open format.  When the vanguard finally made contact with the veterans in camp, the whole Roman line was trapped and this is what Hannibal, He had the horns blown and the Carthaginians fell upon the unsuspecting Romans who were caught by surprise.  Even so, the defeat of the Romans took four hours and their commander Flaminius, was supporting his troops wherever they were pressed hardest until a Gallic horseman ran him through with a lance.  Losses by the Romans were high, about 15,000 soldiers were killed and it is estimated that another 10,000 were captured and sold into slavery (livius); news of this defeat terrified the citizens of Rome.  This led to the appointment of Quintus Fabius Maximus who was a veteran of 58 as dictator.  After this new victory for Hannibal, there was no army to stand against him while he continued his march south toward the heel of the Italian peninsula.