Punic Wars: Hannibal Surprises at Lake Trasimene

Having won a stunning victory at the Battle of the Trebia in 218 BC, Hannibal advanced south into Italy. The defeat led to a change in the Roman leadership with Gnaeus Servilius Geminus and Gaius Flaminius becoming consuls. Opposing Hannibal, Flaminius was cut off from Rome by Hannibal in 217 BC. Pursuing the Carthaginian army, Flaminius was ambushed by Hannibal at the Battle of Lake Trasimene on June 24. Pinned on a narrow plain along the lake's northern short, the Romans were quickly attacked on three sides. In the fighting, around half the Roman army was killed, including Flaminius. Only part of the Roman vanguard managed to escape. With another army destroyed, Rome appointed Quintus Fabius Maximus dictator. Displeased with Fabius' strategy of avoiding combat, Rome returned to consular rule the next year and was again defeated, this time at the Battle of Cannae.