Lessons from Cannae

what we do see in the story of Cannae are three aspects of strategy in bold relief, presented in their purest and most essential forms

The concept of strategy has many faces, and there are some we do not see in the story of Cannae.  The history of this battle tells us little about longer-range considerations and little about how the strategy was created.   The full design for the battle at least in the available histories, seems to have been created by Hannibal and it's implementation was by his personal command.   We know nothing of his personal abilities or methods.  In particular, one wonders at how he persuaded the the Gauls and Spaniards in his central arc to stage a mock retreat, an action that these men would have viewed as expensive in both blood and honor.  We do not know.

However, what we do see in the story of Cannae are three aspects of strategy in bold relief, presented in their purest and most essential forms--premeditation, the anticipation of others' behavior, and the purposeful design of coordinated actions.

ACTION POINT: Think, anticipate and coordinate action.