Invites For The1st Death Anniversay

Livy The Second Punic War (V): THE BATTLE OF RIVER Trebia

The Gauls, whom Hannibal had imagined waiting with open arms, just decided to march against Rome on the side of the Carthaginians. That's what made Hannibal to occupy by force the capital of bullfighting (Turin), the horror occurred among the Gauls for the treatment that gave the city led to the immediate support of the undecided Thus, with troops and horses that received the Carthaginian general could move south.
Scipio came to meet him. Along the Ticino, a tributary of the Po, locked in a battle that the Romans took to lose (remember that elephants never been seen in that area and the impression must have been very demoralizing for low and defenders schooled in Rome). Scipio himself, severely wounded, was saved thanks to the help he received from his child aged 17, from which we will soon deal extensively.
The Romans, with great difficulty, were able to regroup in Trebia, a rugged place near the river of the same name, which could expected reinforcements, commanded by the consul Tiberius Sempronius, and approaching at top speed. When he finally appeared Sempronius, Roman morale soared. Scipio was in favor of avoiding the open clash with Hannibal. In his view it was preferable to longer, buying time until winter came and with it the cessation of war. Only thus would be properly train troops and test the moral of Hannibal's mercenaries and the loyalty of the Gauls who fought on their side, given its inconstancy and versatility, as they saw him abandon the war dragged too.
Sempronius, however, preferred to attack immediately, without resting the enemy. As well, he was the only head while Scipio remained crippled by her injuries, her criterion was the one imposed.
The battle was over the river Trebia. On a chilly dawn, Hannibal, astutely led to reckless Sempronius. The Romans, half asleep and hungry, came rushing back to the river in pursuit of the detachments that Hannibal had sent to engage the enemy. Sure of success, the soldiers were passing the icy waters of the river, they arrived at the waist. Soaked and shivering, unable to defend themselves when Hannibal laid on them all the power of his warriors.
year 217 was also disastrous for Rome. In less than three hours, Hannibal destroyed the Roman army after another lock on the shores of Lake Trasimeno. The Consul Flaminius was killed in battle and his colleague Servilius was defeated soon after in another encounter in which half of its soldiers were killed and half captured.

refer in the following entry through the pen of Livy, Rome extent demoralized by so much loss and how ensued terror among the population.

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