Strategy and Doctrine
Double Envelopment (the Cannae Maneuver)
Also Known As Pincer Movement
Ancient, Carthage
Citation Formats
General Reference
APA Style
BibTeX
Double envelopment, commonly called a pincer movement, is a tactic in which an attacking force strikes both flanks of an enemy formation simultaneously to encircle and destroy it rather than merely defeat it frontally. Though discussed as early as Sun Tzu (who cautioned against it) and arguably attempted at Marathon, its most famous and best-documented execution is Hannibal's victory at Cannae in 216 BC, the first pincer movement recorded in full tactical detail, by the historian Polybius.
Facts
Core ClaimWeaken the center deliberately to draw the enemy into a bulging advance, then close veteran flank infantry and cavalry around its rear to encircle and annihilate it. 1 Cross-Tradition Connections
Associated With
Cannae (216 BC) is called the first successful use of the pincer movement recorded in detail; this entry generalizes the tactic beyond that single battle.
Critiqued Here
Developed By
Sun Tzu discussed but cautioned against the tactic centuries earlier, and a version was arguably attempted at Marathon in 490 BC; Cannae is the first double envelopment recorded in full tactical detail, by Polybius, and gives the maneuver its common nickname.
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Pincer movement
Wikipediadefinition / Cannae sectionQuote, definition / Cannae section
a military maneuver in which forces simultaneously attack both flanks (sides) of an enemy formation...cite it as the first successful use of the pincer movement that was recorded in detail, by the Greek historian Polybius
1. Wikipedia: Pincer movement
WikipediadefinitionQuote, definition
forces simultaneously attack both flanks (sides) of an enemy formation
1. Wikipedia: Pincer movement
WikipediaCannae sectionQuote, Cannae section
cite it as the first successful use of the pincer movement that was recorded in detail, by the Greek historian Polybius
1. Wikipedia: Pincer movement
WikipediaAssociated With: Pincer Movement (General Envelopment Tactic)View the Source 1. Wikipedia: Pincer movement
WikipediaAssociated With: Sun Tzu, History sectionQuote, Associated With: Sun Tzu, History section
Sun Tzu, in The Art of War (traditionally dated to the 6th century BC), speculated on the maneuver but advised against trying it
Wikipedia: Battle of Cannae
Wikipediabattle narrative, encirclement phaseQuote, battle narrative, encirclement phase
Hannibal ordered his African infantry to turn inwards and advance against the Roman flanks, creating an encirclement in one of the earliest known examples of a pincer movement
Reader Challenges (0 open reader challenges)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.
View At A Past Year
The atlas records no dated fact of its own for this entry, so there is no other year to choose.