With the great Hannibal Barca pinned in Apulia and Scipio counterattacking in Spain in 208, the Carthaginian cause in the Second Punic War was at a low ebb. The only remaining hope was the rendezvous of the Barca brothers and their armies to ravage and precipitate revolts through the length and breadth of Italy
Hasdrubal Barca, after his stinging reverse at the hands of Scipio at Baccula, had left Spain crossing the Alps with 15,000 or so survivors of Baecula to recruit from the Gauls to replace his losses. Enlisting Gauls and Ligurians into his army, he was ready to descend unto the plains of Northern Italy with his forces close in numbers as before Baccula But he was unable to reinforce his light cavalry arm. So his force was deficient in hose.
The Roman commander opposing him was the consul Marcus Livius Salinator with a force of four legions and the praetor of Gaul, L. Porcius Licinus, with two newly levied legions.
In the spring, Hasdrubal descended from the Alps into the Padus Valley where he was joined by 8,000 Ligurians and laid siege to the city of Placentia He sent dispatches to his brother that he was in Northern Italy and outlined his campaign planning to meet Hannibal at the junction of the east coast road and the Via Flarnimi.
Porcius advanced with his mostly green legions but outnumbered in horse and foot could do little but wait for aid from his colleague. Meanwhile the siege at Placentia became more a sideshow than a act as Hasadrubal wished only to impress the Gallic tribes (the Boii) around the area and add their strength to his army. When the siege dragged on with little hope of success. the discerning Boii recognized that this Barca was not Hannibal. and throwing their lot in with him was a rsky proposition.
When the Boii didn't ral1y to his army, Hasdrubal abandoned the siege, and moved down the east coast road attempting to bring Porcius to battle. Porcius would not be drawn. The strategy of the Fabians was continuing and Hasdrubal's lack of light horse made harassing the smaller army of the Romans impossible Hasdrubal continued down the coast road till he reached Fanum. Fanum was the furthest point of the main Umbrian road to Rome, the Via Flaminia, and the planned meeting point. His intelligence source had informed him that the consul Livius was south of him at Sena Gallica, 15 miles away, with a consular army, while the tenacious Porcius was sticking to the high ground on the Barcaian's right flank. This was of no consequence. Hasdrubal advanced to within six miles of Sena, and with his front covered by the course of the Sena River, settled down in his camp and waited for his famous brother to make an appearance in the rear of the Roman army.
Now came one of those fantastic pieces of luck that wins campaigns. Hasdrubal's dispatches to his brother fell into enemy hands, Q. Claudius Nero. consul for South Italy and Hannibal's watchdog, who saw that this was a marvelous opportunity. For once the Romans were privy to the plans of their great enemy. Hannibal was unaaware that Hasdrubal was in Italy. Nero decided to imitate the great Captain. He divided his army, taking his best legion as well as some 1,000 light horse and set out for Sena, leaving his legate in charge of the blockading force.
When he reached Sena, his force had increased by 1,000 men who volunteered to join his troops to defeat Hasdrubal. He arrived at Sena with 6,000 foot and 1,000 horse.
A Roman force had come up the exact route that Hannibal had been expected to use.
Now bolstered with these reinforcements - also Porcius'- Livius advanced upon Hasdrubal"s camp, crossing the liver. Hasdrubal still had an excellent intelligence service. His scouts informed him that the Roman Army had increased in size, and the trumpet calls were doubled. For that to happen meant that two consuls were present. Nero must have defeated Hannibal, and now had joined with Livius, to complete the Barcids' destruction. With the Italian adventure apparently at an end, Hasdrubal must have decided to retire back into Gaul. and recross the Alps if necessary.
Rather then risk crossing the bridge at the Metaurus River, he moved along its southern bank looking for a ford. At this point his lack of cavalry due to struggle at Baecula came back haunt him. Unable to screen his army, the Romans found that he had broken camp, and pursued. While moving north west toward the San Constarizo valley, Hasdrubal's army was discovered by Numidian cavalry. Nero soon caught the unwieldy column with the rest of allied horse. Losing heavily in straggling Gauls, Hasdrubal realized that he must turn and fight or forfeit the whole army piecemeal He reformed his throng and started to set up a fortified camp along the ridge of the San Angelo stream in an attempt to restore discipline. The Roman army now arriving in battle order made any additional attempt at entrenchment impossible, so Hasdrubal drew his army up in line of battle. Ovid says it was the 23rd of June, the day after the anniversary of the Roman defeat at the hands of Hannibal at Lake Trasimene (217).
More Battle of Metaurus 207 BC
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