Hannibal's Genius at the Battle of Cannae Hannibal Barca's tactical brilliance was on full display during the Battle of Cannae in 216 BC, one of the most significant confrontations of the Second Punic War. Facing a much larger Roman army, Hannibal employed a masterful double-envelopment strategy. He deliberately positioned his army, with a center of infantry that lured the Romans in, while his cavalry flanked the enemy on both sides. As the Romans pressed forward, Hannibal's troops began to enci