Po River (203 BC)

Following Scipio’s victory at Ilipa in 206 Mago once again sailed to the Balearic Isles to recruit mercenaries. Then, rather than fall back to Africa, as everyone expected, Mago launched the third Barcid invasion of Italy. With new levies from …

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Following Scipio’s victory at Ilipa in 206 Mago once again sailed to the Balearic Isles to recruit mercenaries. Then, rather than fall back to Africa, as everyone expected, Mago launched the third Barcid invasion of Italy. With new levies from Africa, Mago sailed across the Mediterranean and landed at Genoa in 205. After receiving reinforcements, Mago invaded the valley of the Po River in 203. He now had 18,000 infantry, 2,800 cavalry and seven elephants from Africa; and about 15,000 foot and 1,500 horse from the Ligurian and Gallic tribes. Two Roman armies were on hand in Cisalpine Gaul under the Praetor Oublius Quintilius Varus and the Proconsul Marcus Cornelius Cethegus. Their army included four double legions, with 40,000 infantry and 3,000 cavalry. The battle was joined in the plain along the Po River. Mago placed his reliable African and Ligurian infantry in his main battle line, with his Gauls in the reserve. As the battle began, Mago’s main line clashed with the front line legions and Carthaginians had the advantage. Them Varus led a cavalry charge towards the Cartaginian’s open flank. This was the moment Mago awaited-he counter-charged with his elephants. The Roman cavalry broke before the impact of the lumbering behemoths. As the Romans flank faltered, Cethegus moved up the reserves. As these fresh troops began to turn the tide in Rome’s favor, Mago responded with his Gallic warriors. Just then Mago fell with a serious wound, and his beleaguered army finally broke. It had been a very bloody fight. Over 5,000 Carthaginians and 2,300 Romans were left on the field. Mago perished of his wound while sailing for Africa, but the remnants of his army returned to fight at Zama.

Po Valley, Italy

The Battle of Insubria in 203 BC was the culmination of a major war, carried out by the Carthaginian commander Mago, son of Hamilcar Barca, at the end of the Second Punic war between Rome and Carthage in what is now northwestern Italy. Mago had landed at Genoa, Liguria, two years before, in an effort to keep the Romans busy to the North and thus hamper indirectly their plans to invade Carthage’s hinterland in Africa. He was quite successful in reigniting the unrest among various peoples against the Roman dominance. Rome was forced to concentrate large forces against him which finally resulted in a battle fought in the land of the Insubres (Lombardy). Mago suffered defeat and had to retreat. The strategy to divert the enemy’s forces failed as the Roman general Publius Cornelius Scipio laid waste to Africa and wiped out the Carthaginian armies that were sent to destroy the invader. To counter Scipio, the Carthaginian government recalled Mago from Italy. However, the remnants of the Carthaginian forces in Cisalpine Gaul continued to harass the Romans for several years after the end of the war.

Wikipedia: Battle of Insubria

Carthaginian

Roman

Second Punic War