Battle of the Metaurus
Quick Summary
The Battle of the Metaurus, fought in 207 BCE, was a pivotal engagement during the Second Punic War between Rome and Carthage. The Roman victory, engineered by Gaius Claudius Nero, effectively halted Carthaginian ambitions in Italy.12
The battle occurred when Hasdrubal Barca, Hannibal's brother, attempted to reinforce his sibling in Italy by crossing the Alps with his army. Nero, commanding the Roman army in the south, intercepted Hasdrubal's communications and rapidly marched his forces north to join his co-consul, Marcus Livius Salinator. By combining their armies and concealing Nero's arrival, the Romans surprised Hasdrubal.324
In the ensuing battle on the Metaurus River, the Romans routed the Carthaginian forces, killing Hasdrubal. This victory was a significant turning point, preventing Hannibal from receiving crucial reinforcements and ultimately contributing to Rome's eventual triumph in the Second Punic War.2135
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Metauro River…the scene of a great Roman victory over the Carthaginians in 207 bc, when the consuls Marcus Livius Salinator and Claudius Nero defeated and slew Hasdrubal, the brother of the Carthaginian leader Hannibal. The battle was a decisive turning point in the Second Punic War.
Read More…the scene of a great Roman victory over the Carthaginians in 207 bc, when the consuls Marcus Livius Salinator and Claudius Nero defeated and slew Hasdrubal, the brother of the Carthaginian leader Hannibal. The battle was a decisive turning point in the Second Punic War.
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ancient RomeSecond Punic War (218–201 bc)…Hasdrubal was foiled at the Metaurus. Finally Rome produced a military genius in Scipio Africanus, who drove the Carthaginians from Spain, persuaded his reluctant countrymen to allow him to invade Africa, won such success there that Hannibal was recalled from Italy to save Carthage, and finally defeated Hannibal at Zama.
Read More…Hasdrubal was foiled at the Metaurus. Finally Rome produced a military genius in Scipio Africanus, who drove the Carthaginians from Spain, persuaded his reluctant countrymen to allow him to invade Africa, won such success there that Hannibal was recalled from Italy to save Carthage, and finally defeated Hannibal at Zama.
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