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"Who was Hannibal Barca and how did this general defeat the Roman legions at the Battle of Cannae?

Why was Consul Varro forgiven even though he lost a major battle?
When the city of Carthage was finally destroyed, what did the Romans do?"
a) Hannibal Barca was a Roman general who defeated the Carthaginians at the Battle of Cannae. Consul Varro was forgiven because he used a brilliant tactical maneuver in battle. When Carthage was destroyed, the Romans salted the earth to prevent future growth.
b) Hannibal Barca was a Carthaginian general who defeated the Roman legions at the Battle of Cannae using an encirclement strategy. Consul Varro was forgiven because he brought honor to Rome. When Carthage was destroyed, the Romans spared the city's inhabitants.
c) Hannibal Barca was a Roman general who defeated the Roman legions at the Battle of Cannae. Consul Varro was forgiven because he displayed courage and determination in battle. When Carthage was destroyed, the Romans established a lasting alliance with the city.
d) Hannibal Barca was a Carthaginian general who defeated the Roman legions at the Battle of Cannae using a double envelopment tactic. Consul Varro was forgiven because he was well-liked by the Senate. When Carthage was destroyed, the Romans resettled the city.

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Final answer:

Hannibal Barca was a Carthaginian general who defeated the Romans at Cannae with a double envelopment tactic. Consul Varro's forgiveness after the loss could be attributed to bringing honor to Rome or Senate politics. The total destruction of Carthage after the Third Punic War included enslavement and killing of survivors.

Step-by-step explanation:

Hannibal Barca was a Carthaginian general who is renowned for his strategic prowess in the Second Punic War, particularly for his victory against the Roman legions at the Battle of Cannae using a double envelopment tactic. On this day in 216 BCE, Hannibal's ingeniously planned tactic allowed his significantly smaller forces to encircle and decimate a larger Roman army. Despite Consul Varro's defeat, he was likely forgiven because he was perceived to bring honor to Rome or due to political considerations within the Senate, facts that have been historically debated. When Carthage was finally defeated and destroyed in 146 BCE after the Third Punic War, the Romans brutally sacked the city, profoundly impacting history and ending the Carthaginian state, with survivors killed or enslaved.

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