Cztery podstępy Hannibala pod Kannami (216 p.n.e.) w ujęciu Appiana (Hann. 26.111) – transformacje wizerunku Kartagińczyka w służbie rzymskiej propagandy

Miron Wolny

doi:10.31648/ep.12145

Published: 2025-12-15

No. XXVI/2 (2025)

Hannibal’s four stratagems in the battle of Cannae (216 BCE) in Appian’s account (Hann. 26.111) – transformation of the Carthaginian statesman’s image in service of Roman propaganda

Miron Wolny

Echa Przeszłości

Section: ARTICLES

https://doi.org/10.31648/ep.12145

Abstract

In his summary of the Battle of Cannae (216 BCE), Appian of Alexandria concludes that Hannibal scored a massive victory through four military stratagems: by making use of the force of the wind, by the feigned desertion of the troops to the Roman side, by the false retreat of some troops, and by hiding some of the troops in the ambuscades in the ravines. The aim of this article was to determine the provenance of Appian’s account and to assess the extent to which it was influenced by the annalistic tradition. Based on the research findings, the author concluded that Appian’s report was largely based on the complex and multiple traditions of previous historical sources, primarily the annalistic tradition that was deeply rooted in Roman moral didacticism. Therefore, his final account should be perceived as a combination of several traditions: the Greek pro-Carthaginian narrative, witness reports cited in annalistic sources, and pure invention in keeping with the annalistic tradition. The ultimate goal of Appian’s narrative was to portray Hannibal as a negative character who resorted to deception (στρατήγημα) and acted as a fraud (ἀποτεὼν). Therefore, Appian selectively incorporated accounts that cast a negative light on Hannibal to fashion a narrative that was consistent with the Roman ideology. According to the report, the Carthaginian general’s advantage could be fully attributed to dishonesty, ultimately leading to his ruin. In turn, the defeat challenged Romans’ endurance and inspired efforts at self-renewal, thus laying the foundations for an Empire that would claim eternity.

Keywords:

ancient historiography, Appian, Hannibal, battle of Cannae, ruse

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Wolny, M. (2025). Hannibal’s four stratagems in the battle of Cannae (216 BCE) in Appian’s account (Hann. 26.111) – transformation of the Carthaginian statesman’s image in service of Roman propaganda. Echa Przeszłości, (XXVI/2), 11–25. https://doi.org/10.31648/ep.12145

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