Varro, Caius Terentius

Varro, Caius Terentius

(kā`yəs tĭrĕn`shəs vâr`ō), fl. 216 B.C., Roman statesman and general. Consul in 216 B.C., he opposed HannibalHannibal
, b. 247 B.C., d. 183 or 182 B.C. Carthaginian general, an implacable and formidable enemy of Rome. Although knowledge of him is based primarily on the reports of his enemies, Hannibal appears to have been both just and merciful. He is renowned for his tactical genius.
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 at the battle of CannaeCannae
, ancient village, Apulia, SE Italy, scene in 216 B.C. of Hannibal's crushing defeat of the Romans. Hannibal's troops assumed a crescent-shaped formation to meet the Roman troops, which were especially concentrated in the center.
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, where the Roman army was destroyed. Probably more blame for this disaster may be ascribed to the Roman system of alternate command than to Varro's incompetence. One of the few survivors, Varro rallied the remnants of his army at nearby Canusium (now Canosa di Puglia). He received official commendation from the senate.