Lior & Plutar
Lior
I’ve been revisiting the Battle of Cannae lately, and I’m struck by how Hannibal’s double envelopment reshaped military doctrine. What’s your assessment of that maneuver from a purely tactical standpoint?
Plutar
Hannibal used the center as bait while his cavalry and reserves swung from the flanks, turning the field into a pocket. It shows perfect force concentration and timing, but it requires disciplined troops and a predictable enemy. In theory it’s flawless, but only the most skilled commanders can pull it off without disaster.
Lior
You’re right, the envelopment works only if the enemy keeps the center rigidly. It’s almost a perfect ballet, but the slightest misstep from Hannibal’s soldiers or a hesitation in the Roman line and the whole dance collapses. It’s the kind of brilliant risk that makes history books so addictive, even if it doesn’t translate into a fool‑proof recipe for every battlefield.
Plutar
It’s a textbook example of efficient concentration of force, but it’s still a dance that requires absolute discipline. One misstep and the whole formation snaps. The lesson isn’t that it’s a universal formula; it’s that when conditions align, a well‑planned double envelopment can turn a battlefield in seconds.
Lior
It’s the same principle you see in the Siege of Antioch—when the defenders finally broke, the attackers collapsed. Discipline turns a good idea into a crushing reality. The moment the Romans realized they were trapped, the Romans collapsed like a house of cards.
Plutar
In Antioch the attackers had the same principle at work: they kept the walls under pressure and cut off every escape route. When the defenders finally faltered, the defenders were no longer able to hold their position and the city fell. It shows that disciplined, relentless pressure can force a collapse even against a seemingly impregnable position.