The second Battle of Cannae takes place in 1018 between the Byzantines under the Catepan of Italy Basil Boioannes and the Lombards under Melus of Bari.

The Lombards have also hired some Norman mercenaries under their leader Gilbert Buatère, while Boioannes has a detachment of elite Varangian Guard that have been sent to him at his request to combat the Normans.

The battle is fought on the same spot where Hannibal of Carthage had destroyed the Roman army in 216 BCE.The battle is disastrous for the Lombards, who are routed.

Melus of Bari manages to escape to the Papal States and eventually to the court of Holy Roman Emperor Henry II at Bamberg.

The Normans lose their leader, Gilbert Buatère, and most of their group.

However, what remains of this group of Normans is the first of many to go to southern Italy.

By the end of the 11th century, most of southern Italy will be under Norman control.