Silent Death Of Fog: The Battle Of Lake Trasimene

Roman Army
10/17/14
Silent Death of Fog
The Battle of Lake Trasimene

In this paper the overview, prelude, and battle of Lake Trasimene will be analyzed and discussed to understand the brilliance behind one of the greatest military tactical attacks in history. The Battle of Lake Trasimene was waged by one of the most charismatic, smart, and cunning generals of all time in Hannibal. Hannibal, the son of Hamilcar Barca of Carthage, was raised to eat, breath, and hate Rome from the beginning of his childhood. Livy states that, “From the day when he was proclaimed commander in chief, he seemed to regard Italy as his assigned field of action, and war with Rome as a duty imposed upon him.”(Livy 21.5, Line 1-3.) This inner rage that was instilled in him as a child is a driving force that can be seen throughout this battle as well as his remaining campaigns against the Romans.
From a snapshot of the Second Punic War, the Carthaginians defeated the Romans while under the consul of Gaius Flaminius. The battle is considered one of the largest and most successful ambushes in military history. The battle consisted of around 50,000 Carthaginian soldiers versus about 30,000 Roman soldiers. The aftermath of the battle produced well over 15,000+ lost soldiers for the Roman army while Hannibal only lost approximately 2,500 of his own. Despite the overview of the battle, much more can be examined when looking at the events leading up to the brilliant ambush set by