Cannae Cannae Cannae (now Canne della Battaglia) is an ancient village of the Apulia region of south east Italy. It is a "frazione" (civil parish) of the "comune" (municipality) of Barletta, a former bishopric and presently a Latin Catholic titular see. It is situated near the river Aufidus (the modern Ofanto), on a hill on the right (i.e., south) bank, southwest from its mouth, and 9 km southwest from Barletta. It is primarily known for the Battle of Cannae, in which the numerically superior Roman army suffered a disastrous defeat by Hannibal in 216 BC (see Punic Wars). There is a
Potenza at present, some south of today's Potenza. The Lucani of Potentia sided against Rome's enemies during the latter's wars against the Samnites and the Bruttii. Subjugated during the 4th century BC (later gaining the status of "municipium"), the Potentini rebelled after the Roman defeat at Cannae in 216 BC. However, the Battle of the Metaurus marked the end of any Carthaginian aspirations in Italy and Potentia was reconquered by the Romans and reduced to the status of military colony. In the 6th century, the city passed to the Lombard Duchy of Benevento. Incursions by Saracens raiders menaced the city until