Gaius Terentius Varro

Novus homo consul who answered a frightened republic

Varro was the people’s consul, elected after a string of disasters to give battle. He massed Rome’s strength in a deep infantry column — a political choice as much as a tactical one. Cannae ruined his reputation, but the Senate met him at the gates and thanked him for not despairing of the Republic.

Commanding the larger Roman army destroyed at Cannae.