All language subtitles for C o A W S01E02 The Battle of Cannae 1080p NOW WEB-DL AAC2 0 H 264-RAWR_track3_[eng]

NARRATOR: This was the theatre
of one of the most legendary battles

NARRATOR: This was the theatre
of one of the most legendary battles

of the Roman era.

In Puglia, the Plain of Cannae
is the place of memory

In Puglia, the Plain of Cannae
is the place of memory

of a bloody fight
on August the second, 216 BCE.

50,000 men would die.

50,000 men would die.

Infantry or cavalry,
they could no longer tell.

This was unheard of in antiquity.

The Carthaginian army
was coming to challenge

the Roman army on its own turf,

thanks to its military genius,
Hannibal.

thanks to its military genius,
Hannibal.

The great Carthaginian
general would achieve

the incredible feat
of leading his troops across

the Alps in winter on the backs
of elephants.

the Alps in winter on the backs
of elephants.

An extraordinary land
odyssey that would contribute

to the myth of the battle of Cannae.

to the myth of the battle of Cannae.

(THEME TUNE PLAYS)

NARRATOR: Hannibal's ghost still
roams the Plain of Cannae.

NARRATOR: Hannibal's ghost still
roams the Plain of Cannae.

His standing was such
that this second Punic war

between Carthage and Rome
was also dubbed Hannibal's war

between Carthage and Rome
was also dubbed Hannibal's war

after the man who shook
the foundations of Roman power.

Even today, General Hannibal
exercises a kind of fascination

in the land of Cannae.

in the land of Cannae.

Historians and archaeologists
are still seeking to unlock

the secrets of this mysterious
warrior.

Among them, Elisabetta Todisco,
professor at the University of Bari

who returns to the site
of the Carthaginian triumph.

who returns to the site
of the Carthaginian triumph.

(TRANSLATED FROM ITALIAN)

NARRATOR: This so often romanticised
character exuded natural authority.

NARRATOR: This so often romanticised
character exuded natural authority.

What is certain, is that from
a young age,

he was a budding military leader...

he was a budding military leader...

..thanks to his physical presence,
his temperament, and above all,

his tactical know-how.

(TRANSLATED FROM FRENCH)

(TRANSLATED FROM FRENCH)

(TRANSLATED FROM ITALIAN)

(TRANSLATED FROM ITALIAN)

NARRATOR:
Hannibal succeeded his father,

NARRATOR:
Hannibal succeeded his father,

Hamilcar at the head
of the Carthaginian troops.

The new commander,
not yet 30 years old,

The new commander,
not yet 30 years old,

was sworn to overthrow Rome.

NARRATOR: Originally, the conflict
pitted a maritime empire, Carthage,

against a land empire, Rome.

against a land empire, Rome.

At stake was the economic
and political supremacy

of the Mediterranean Basin.

The first war between the two powers
lasted 23 years

The first war between the two powers
lasted 23 years

from 264, to 241 BCE.

It turned to Rome's advantage
and left Carthage weakened.

It turned to Rome's advantage
and left Carthage weakened.

(TRANSLATED FROM ITALIAN)

NARRATOR: But this time he knew
the war wouldn't happen at sea.

He'd have to face
the Romans on their lands.

- (crowd cheering)

NARRATOR: The new general Hannibal's
first exploit was an insane plan...

NARRATOR: The new general Hannibal's
first exploit was an insane plan...

..an unimaginable journey
that still continues

to fascinate students of antiquity.

to fascinate students of antiquity.

This is one of the greatest puzzles
in history.

The unlikely terrestrial odyssey
led by Hannibal

on the backs of elephants,
started from Spain,

on the backs of elephants,
started from Spain,

crossed the Pyrenees and the Alps
to go and confront the Romans

on their territory.

The itinerary of this heroic ride
still holds its share of mystery.

How and where did Hannibal lead his
troops on foot, horse and elephant.

How and where did Hannibal lead his
troops on foot, horse and elephant.

This question still intrigues today.

The same holds true
at the Paris Military School,

where Colonel Faudais teaches
officers the art of war

where Colonel Faudais teaches
officers the art of war

by the great strategist Hannibal.

(TRANSLATED FROM FRENCH)

(TRANSLATED FROM FRENCH)

NARRATOR: Close to 100,000 men
set off from Cartagena in Spain

with about 30 elephants.

The troops crossed the Pyrenees,
then moved away from the coast.

They suffered a few skirmishes
along the way,

They suffered a few skirmishes
along the way,

such as when crossing the Rhone.

Historians have long wondered
about the route

taken by Hannibal
to cross the Alps.

It was on the banks of the Durance,
a tributary of the Rhone,

at the entrance
to the Queyras massif,

at the entrance
to the Queyras massif,

that historian Jean-Pierre Renaud
carried out research

to elucidate Hannibal's
mysterious transalpine route.

NARRATOR: For Jean-Pierre Renaud,
there'd have been 18 days' march

between the banks of the Durance
and arrival on the Po Plain.

between the banks of the Durance
and arrival on the Po Plain.

- (elephants trumpeting)

NARRATOR: For that,
the dizzying Gorges du Guil

seems to be a necessary passage
to the peaks of Queyras.

seems to be a necessary passage
to the peaks of Queyras.

According to certain historians,

Hannibal moved his troops
deep into the gorges.

But perhaps the truth
lies elsewhere.

But perhaps the truth
lies elsewhere.

Another possible path
is this small Roman road

on the mountainside.

NARRATOR: The itinerary proved
costly to Hannibal

NARRATOR: The itinerary proved
costly to Hannibal

in terms of troops. In addition
to accidents and desertions

there were also victims
of ambushes,

all clues to the progress Hannibal's
army made.

all clues to the progress Hannibal's
army made.

These Alpine attackers,
identified as "mountain dwellers"

and "barbarians", struck here
on the magnificent promontory

and "barbarians", struck here
on the magnificent promontory

of Chateau-Queyras once bare rock.

Working from various
historical sources,

Working from various
historical sources,

our researcher was able
to retrace the chronology

of the movements of Hannibal
and his men.

NARRATOR: The presence of rocks
at the bottom of the valleys

would indicate that these
are indeed the spots

where the Carthaginian
soldiers were targeted.

where the Carthaginian
soldiers were targeted.

A few kilometres further on,
our historian rediscovered

an ancient road.

NARRATOR: Hannibal's troops
could have reached

the Col de Malaure, to descend
towards the Po Valley

the Col de Malaure, to descend
towards the Po Valley

in the autumn of 218 BCE.

NARRATOR: Imagine the progression
of such an army,

with more than 80,000 infantry,

with more than 80,000 infantry,

(despite the losses),

more than 10,000 cavalry
and elephants

whose contingent was reduced
over the course of the expedition.

whose contingent was reduced
over the course of the expedition.

A challenge for all concerned.

Winter was near and the first
snowflakes accompanied

Hannibal's troops on the road
to the summit.

This is the famous Col de Malaure,
at an altitude of 2,500 metres.

This is the famous Col de Malaure,
at an altitude of 2,500 metres.

(TRANSLATED FROM FRENCH)

(TRANSLATED FROM FRENCH)

NARRATOR: Hannibal's mission
was successful.

But at what cost?

Did the Punic leader exhaust
his troops during this unusual,

gruelling raid before going
to challenge the greatest army

in the ancient world.

(TRANSLATED FROM ITALIAN)

(TRANSLATED FROM FRENCH)

(TRANSLATED FROM FRENCH)

- (battle cry)

(TRANSLATED FROM ITALIAN)

NARRATOR: Among these new weapons
that improved over time,

NARRATOR: Among these new weapons
that improved over time,

the lethal weapon
of the Roman heavy infantry

was the Iberian sword brought back
from Spanish conquests,

was the Iberian sword brought back
from Spanish conquests,

better known as the gladius.

NARRATOR: With battle experience,
the shield had also improved;

NARRATOR: With battle experience,
the shield had also improved;

it was no longer a wooden
defensive weapon,

it was also an assault weapon.

NARRATOR: At its centre, it was
fitted with a 500 gram metal ball

allowing the soldier to retaliate.

allowing the soldier to retaliate.

The heavy infantry armour
had been strengthened.

The iron chainmail was now lined
with a protective layer of leather.

The iron chainmail was now lined
with a protective layer of leather.

The Roman army
therefore seemed invincible.

Hannibal had to devise
a manoeuvre to exploit

his enemies slightest weakness.

his enemies slightest weakness.

The incredible crossing of the Alps
had clearly diminished Hannibal,

The incredible crossing of the Alps
had clearly diminished Hannibal,

who left Carthage at the head
of 100,000 men.

He left the Alps with only
a quarter of his troops,

26,000 infantry
and cavalry combined.

(TRANSLATED FROM ITALIAN)

NARRATOR: Though Hannibal's numbers
swelled by more than 10,000 men

going into future battles,
symbolically, he was deprived

going into future battles,
symbolically, he was deprived

of the weapon that contributed most
to his mythology,

the elephant.

NARRATOR: Hannibal's military genius
was revealed to the Romans

during the battles that marked
his descent of the peninsula.

during the battles that marked
his descent of the peninsula.

After his first successes in Ticino
and Trebia in winter,

Lake Trasimeno was the scene
of a tactical demonstration

Lake Trasimeno was the scene
of a tactical demonstration

ten months before the big clash
between the two armies in Cannae.

Giovanni Brizzi is the author
of the latest theory

on the course
of the Battle of Trasimeno.

on the course
of the Battle of Trasimeno.

NARRATOR: According to
Professor Brizzi's thesis,

the Roman troops were marching
here along the lake

when they were attacked
on their flank

by the Carthaginian infantrymen
posted on the reliefs.

by the Carthaginian infantrymen
posted on the reliefs.

This first offensive wave
was followed by a second assault

This first offensive wave
was followed by a second assault

a few hundred metres further on,
this time by Hannibal's cavalry,

charging down
from the neighbouring hill.

charging down
from the neighbouring hill.

The Roman army was
therefore cornered with no escape

as the lake blocked all chance
of flight.

as the lake blocked all chance
of flight.

The casualties were considerable.

The only remnants of this conflict
are these funerary pits

The only remnants of this conflict
are these funerary pits

dug into the hill,
intended to cremate the remains

of the many victims estimated to be
more than 16,000

on the Roman side.

on the Roman side.

This latest massacre
sends a clear message

throughout the ancient world.

throughout the ancient world.

Hannibal had found
the solution to thwarting

the supposed superiority
of the Roman army.

NARRATOR: Was the Roman army
therefore doomed to suffer

the tactical superiority
of Hannibal

as the great battle of this
second Punic war loomed?

NARRATOR: 11 months later,
in the summer of 216 BCE,

500 kilometres
to the south of Trasimeno,

500 kilometres
to the south of Trasimeno,

not far from the Adriatic Sea,

Hannibal, the strategist, would
deploy a new, unstoppable tactic.

Hannibal, the strategist, would
deploy a new, unstoppable tactic.

The first reflex of a good
strategist is the choice

of battlefield.

of battlefield.

It would be the Plain of Puglia,
close to Bari and Barletta.

For Giuliano Volpi,
professor of archaeology

For Giuliano Volpi,
professor of archaeology

at the University of Bari,
the choice was significant

in the progression
of Hannibal's troops.

(TRANSLATED FROM ITALIAN)

NARRATOR: To Hannibal, parking
his troops in the Ofanto Plain

offered another decisive advantage.

offered another decisive advantage.

NARRATOR: The choice of combat zone
wasn't guided solely

by logistical needs.

It was also a tactical choice.

Hannibal's cavalry
was his sharpest weapon,

and he had to choose a terrain
on which it would be decisive.

(TRANSLATED FROM ITALIAN)

NARRATOR: This was the theatre
for the Battle of Cannae.

From the hill
of the archaeological site

extends this vast plain
which 2,000 years on

extends this vast plain
which 2,000 years on

has still not revealed
all its secrets.

NARRATOR: The site of Cannae
had to be a place of redemption

NARRATOR: The site of Cannae
had to be a place of redemption

for the Roman army.

Because the configuration
of this vast flat area was,

in theory, adapted to its strength
and to its volume,

in theory, adapted to its strength
and to its volume,

as never before had Rome mobilised
so many men on a battlefield.

NARRATOR: However, the Roman consul,
Emilio Paolo,

NARRATOR: However, the Roman consul,
Emilio Paolo,

against the advice of his peers,
was convinced that he could

defeat Hannibal on this ground.

And he had good reason
to think so...

And he had good reason
to think so...

NARRATOR: Hannibal had no course
of action other than his war tricks.

NARRATOR: Hannibal had no course
of action other than his war tricks.

He offset his numerical inferiority
with his ability

to adapt to the terrain.

to adapt to the terrain.

NARRATOR: Hannibal would dream
up a Machiavellian trick

to annihilate his adversaries.

(TRANSLATED FROM FRENCH)

(TRANSLATED FROM FRENCH)

NARRATOR: Hannibal's problem seemed
insurmountable.

How to defeat 86,000 legionnaries
with almost three times fewer men.

How to defeat 86,000 legionnaries
with almost three times fewer men.

He set up a strategy
that was, to say the least, bold.

He set up a strategy
that was, to say the least, bold.

He aligned his army along
the entire Roman front.

Its central line pitted
just 12,000 men

against 70,000 Roman infantry.

against 70,000 Roman infantry.

This is where his genius
came into play.

He installed a convex line
with which the legionaries collided

as they advanced on the tip
of the Carthaginian line.

as they advanced on the tip
of the Carthaginian line.

Upon contact, Hannibal
ordered his men to fall back

to deceive the Romans.

to deceive the Romans.

NARRATOR: The Romans were
convinced that the Carthaginians

NARRATOR: The Romans were
convinced that the Carthaginians

were being routed.

In reality it was they who ran into
Hannibal's trap.

NARRATOR: At the centre
of the battle,

the Roman infantrymen
were therefore squeezed

in this pincer movement.

in this pincer movement.

Almost simultaneously,
Hannibal's cavalry began

an encirclement manoeuvre from the
sides where both sides' cavalries

an encirclement manoeuvre from the
sides where both sides' cavalries

were positioned.

(TRANSLATED FROM FRENCH)

(TRANSLATED FROM ITALIAN)

- (battle cries)

NARRATOR: Given the quantity -
10,000 against 6,000

NARRATOR: Given the quantity -
10,000 against 6,000

and the quality of its men,

the Carthaginian cavalry
crushed the resistance.

the Carthaginian cavalry
crushed the resistance.

The advance of each side's cavalry
completed the encirclement

manoeuvre, helped in this
by a double lateral noose

manoeuvre, helped in this
by a double lateral noose

by the Libyan heavy infantry.

The Roman legionaries
were totally encircled.

Their whole fighting technique
was affected.

- (battle cries)

NARRATOR: The Battle of Cannae
lasted nine hours.

Nine hours of ruthless
confrontation.

Nine hours of ruthless
confrontation.

The Plain of Cannae
is the cemetery of the Roman Empire

sealing its greatest military rout.

(TRANSLATED FROM ITALIAN)

NARRATOR: For months,
Hannibal sowed terror

through the peninsula.

through the peninsula.

After the massacre of Cannae,

he was thought to be at the gates
of Rome.

But legend has it
that the great military chief

But legend has it
that the great military chief

and his troops, eager for rest
and recreation,

let themselves be tempted
by the delights of Capua,

which they had conquered during the
winter of 215 BCE.

which they had conquered during the
winter of 215 BCE.

NARRATOR:
Hannibal's reign would end

on the other side
of the Mediterranean

on the other side
of the Mediterranean

when the Roman General Scipio,
forced him to return to fight

on his own lands in Carthage.

on his own lands in Carthage.

This time, Hannibal would meet
a keener strategist than himself

in the fateful battle of Zama
in 202 BCE.

in the fateful battle of Zama
in 202 BCE.

The end of an era...

and the beginning of a myth.

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