The Tragedy of Missed Opportunities

History records the Battle of Cannae as perhaps Rome's most devastating military defeat, orchestrated by the tactical genius of Hannibal of Carthage. In the aftermath of this crushing victory, the Carthaginian commander possessed an unparalleled opportunity—Rome lay virtually defenseless before him, ripe for conquest with minimal resistance. Yet Hannibal hesitated, allowing this golden moment to slip away unused.

When he finally marshaled his forces for an assault on the eternal city, fortune had turned against him. A…