The possession of Genoa, Turin, Alexandria, Milan, &c., in 1796, both from their political and military importance, had a decided influence upon the results of the war in these several states.

In the same way Venice, Rome, and Naples, in 1797, Vienna, in the campaigns of 1805 and 1809, Berlin, in 1806, Madrid, in 1808, and Paris, in 1814 and 1815.

If Hannibal had captured the capital immediately after the battle of Cannae;, he would thus have destroyed the Roman power.

The taking of Washington, in 1814, had little or no influence on the war, for the place was then of no importance in itself, and was a mere nominal capital.

It, however, greatly influenced our reputation abroad, and required many brilliant successes to wash the blot from our national escutcheon.
_Lines of defence_ in strategy are either permanent or temporary.