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Why did Gauls and Ligurians join Hannibal after the Battle of the Trebbia River?
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Hannibal
Hannibal, engraving by John Chapman, 1800.
The Gauls and Ligurians joined Hannibal following the Battle of the Trebbia River primarily because his victory served as a powerful demonstration that the Roman Republic could be defeated.12
By soundly routing the Roman army under Tiberius Sempronius Longus, Hannibal proved his military capability and provided a compelling reason for local tribes to align with his cause against Rome. This success significantly augmented his forces with Celtic recruits, as many of the tribes in northern Italy were swayed by the prospect of challenging Roman dominance after witnessing the vulnerability of the Roman legions.12