Would Alexander have been Suckered into a trap

[jasonxx]

Porthonians of late ive visited a site about Ancient Warfare and a subject that raises its head is how Hannibal fans reasonably put him above Alexander as a general.

Now I gotta admit that Cannea has to be up there as the Greatest Ancient Battle. But the question I would ask is. Would Hannibal have so readily predicted Alexanders moves and drew him into a similar ruse. We do know the Romans were predictable and did exactly as hannibal planned time and time again.

Firstly the Carthaginians would not have chased of the Macedonian Cavlry and its a toss of a coin which cavalry would fall on the rear. Alexanders cavalry were every bit as good not like the useless Roman Cavalry.

We accept that the Phalanx was rigid. But Alexander had more mobile flexible wings. Can we assume that Alexanders will to get going would have made him move on theCarthaginian Positions. I doubt it not before working out his own tactics and would have been wee ware of the deliberate ruse of falling back. His father used it at Cheronae.

Now I feel Hannibal was a one trick poney and relied on his ambush. Against predictable forces. I dont think Alexander would be pulled :)into it and the battle would have to be more complicated and would depend on who out thought who.

Maybe the biggest risk to the Macedonians would be the initial or any Cavalry engagement. We know Alexander at the head and been a scrapper. The Carthaginians were great horse soldiers and Im sure would face up to him. Alexander would indeed be more at risk from these boys that the Persians and could come unstuck. Just a thought against equal oposition I doubt Alexander would take such a personal risk. He would know it more dangerous and would have to be more of an overall battlefield commander.

[rocktupac]

I think, given that Hannibal did rely heavily on the predictability of the Roman military among other things, the Macedonians commanded by Alexander could have "out-foxed" Hannibal. Alexander is greatly known for his unique generalship and surprise-based (often counter-intuitive) tactics; this would have made it quite difficult for even a great general like Hannibal to overcome. How does one predict the unpredictable?

The Macedonians had a much stronger cavalry than the Romans, as mentioned, and this would have made tactics used at Cannae much more difficult; not to mention the role of the skirmishers, which Alexander utilized to their fullest extent, that would have also given Hannibal trouble.

We have seen Alexander and his Macedonians face varying styles of fighting techniques while fighting armies of all sizes and in each case Alexander has come out victorious.

[jasonxx]

Rock hail

I guess you just about covered many aspects. I can readily visited Hannibal Sites and be confident my opinion on Hannibal not too far fetched. I think a great Commander yet but still a one Trick Pony.

Our opinions back up the theory about Alexander taking the Romans. As we both say until the Romans wised up sith Scipio and hannibal. They were indeed Predictable. We get the argument that following Alexander Romans did beat Macedonians. But those Macedonians were not Commanded by Alexander. If so the Romans would have been crying mommy quite as lon as the Big Al was knocking them over.

Kenny