Definition

Proper noun A significant battle fought in 217 BC during the Second Punic War, where the Carthaginian general Hannibal decisively ambushed and destroyed a Roman army commanded by the consul Gaius Flaminius near Lake Trasimene in central Italy.

Usage

This term is used as a specific historical reference to this particular military engagement. * The Battle of Lake Trasimene is studied as a classic example of a successful military ambush. * Historians analyze the tactics used by Hannibal at the Battle of Lake Trasimene.

Advanced Usage

• The battle is often cited in military strategy discussions for its use of terrain and psychological surprise.
• It can be referenced metaphorically to describe a devastating or surprise defeat in a non-military context (e.g., "The election was a political Battle of Lake Trasimene for the incumbent party").

Variants and Related Words

• Battle of Trasimene: A common shortened variant of the full name.
• Ambush at Trasimene: A descriptive phrase highlighting the battle's defining characteristic.

Synonyms

• The Trasimene ambush
• The Battle of Trasimeno (using the Italian name for the lake)

Related Phrases/Idioms

• A Trasimene-style ambush: A phrase used to describe a trap that uses natural features to conceal the attacker and ensure the complete destruction of the target.

Noun

1. a battle in 217 BC in which Hannibal ambushed a Roman army led by Flaminius