Varro, Caius Terentius

Varro, Caius Terentius kāˈyəs tĭrĕnˈshəs vârˈō [key], fl. 216 b.c., Roman statesman and general. Consul in 216 b.c., he opposed Hannibal at the battle of Cannae, 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.

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