Traismene and Cannae

[rotorgun]

The closest modern equivalent I can imagine was how the Soviet government managed to survive defeat after defeat during the early years of the German invasion. They suffered over a million casualties to the army alone in 1941. The very Gates of Moscow were within sight of the enemy. No other modern state could have withstood such a pounding and not packed it in. The stoicism of the communist regime under Stalin is reminiscent of how the Romans behaved once they recovered from the shock of Cannae. I believe that Hannibal should have listened to Maharbal when he said, "Truly the Gods have not bestowed all things upon the same person. Thou knowest indeed, Hannibal, how to conquer, but thou knowest not how to make use of your victory." . Despite what many historians say about the difficulty Hannibal would have had besieging Rome, I believe that a strong show of force by the Carthaginian Army at the gates of Rome would have won Hannibal a great diplomatic edge. As it was, his delay allowed the Romans to gather strength and regroup morally.

Alexander would have never stopped to allow such a thing.