Metaurus (207 BC)

In 207 BC Rome has a big problem—Hasdrubal and his army from Spain are in northern Italy, advancing to combine with Hannibal and possibly win the war. The Carthaginians have a problem too. The Romans know Hasdrubal is coming, but …

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In 207 BC Rome has a big problem—Hasdrubal and his army from Spain are in northern Italy, advancing to combine with Hannibal and possibly win the war. The Carthaginians have a problem too. The Romans know Hasdrubal is coming, but Hannibal does not. To the south, the Consul Nero and his army remain close to Hannibal's army. Taking a daring risk, Nero leaves part of his army to convince Hannibal that nothing is happening. Making an epic forced march, in six days he joins the Romans opposing Hasdrubal, giving them an edge in numbers. Hasdrubal tries to retreat, but the flooded Metaurus blocks his way. He must stand his ground with his reliable Spaniards and Africans, and his rapidly deserting Gallic ‘allies.’ Nero is also the hero of the battle, marching his elite troops to fall upon the exposed Carthaginian right. The Carthaginian line crumbles; most of the reliable infantry is slaughtered, and Hasdrubal, seeing the battle is lost, rides into a Roman formation to his death. Returning south, Nero now lets Hannibal know the true situation—he has Hasdrubal's head tossed into Hannibal’s camp. This decisive battle marked the beginning of the end for Hannibal in Italy and for Carthage's chances of winning the war.

Fano, Italy

The Battle of the Metaurus was a pivotal battle in the Second Punic War between Rome and Carthage, fought in 207 BC near the Metauro River in Italy. The Carthaginians were led by Hasdrubal Barca, brother of Hannibal, who was to have brought siege equipment and reinforcements for Hannibal. The Roman armies were led by the consuls Marcus Livius, who was later nicknamed the Salinator, and Gaius Claudius Nero.

Wikipedia: Battle of the Metaurus

Carthaginian

Roman

Second Punic War