(Lucius Aemilius Paulus)d. 216 BC
|THE OVERTHROW OF CANNAE|
Aemilius Paulus is known for being one of the consuls at the Battle of Cannae, the worst military
disaster in Roman history. He is also known as the father of the more famous Aemilius Paulus
Macedonicus, who led Rome to a decisive victory over Macedonia at Pydna. Aemilius Paulus the elder
was one of the fifty thousand Romans who perished at Cannae, although he fought bravely to the very
end. Paulus's co-consul, Varro, survived the battle and rallied the remaining troops to defend
Rome. The two consuls represented the contrasting leadership styles of the divided Roman populace.
Varro favored aggressive action against Hannibal, while Paulus favored caution and delay. Either
approach may have proved successful, but in this case the divided leadership proved disastrous.
Key events during the life of Aemilius Paulus:
||Elected consul with Varro. Led Romans to defeat at Battle of Cannae.
||Elected dictator to resist Hannibal; counseled delay, not direct assault.
||Carthaginian general, invaded and laid waste to Italy for sixteen years.
||Led Rome to disastrous defeat at Cannae. Survived and tried to rally the troops.