587. XXVl-XXVll. Livy- the War against Hannibal.
New consuls take office for 211 BC. At this time Rome maintains 25 legions. The new consuls hold a Senate meeting to assess the state of matters. A sensitive issue arises. Lucius Marcius, who had performed remarkable service for the state, sent a letter to the Senate about matters in Spain and signed it: Propraetor. The Senate was very concerned that this set a bad president if the soldiers elected a commander. Eventually Publius Cornelius Scipio, son and nephew of the commanders killed in Spain is sent to command Roman armies there.
Hannibal attacks Romans besieging Capua. He nearly breaks the Roman lines. At the same time the Romans had to deal with an attack by those within Capua. Hannibal according to some sources had a soldier in his army who knew Latin. He was planted amongst Roman troops to order a retreat. These tactics do not work. Hannibal marches on Rome. His hope is to force Romans to pull troops away from siege of Capua. Many Senators think it wise to call off the siege. Quintus Fabius Maximus brings them back to their senses.
Senate solved the problem this way. As Hannibal marched on Rome, they decide to leave enough troops to besiege Capua in consideration of how many troops Hannibal would need to attack Rome. Fulvius the Roman commander of the siege at Capua, advances to Rome. The Senate decreed that his authority was on par with the consuls to allow him to command troops within city limits. Hannibal entered via Porta Capena. To make ready for swift decisions the Senate had full session in the middle of the Forum to be available for consultation. The area where Hannibal camped was for sale- it sold at normal prices. Hannibal was frustrated with Roman confidence.
Capua surrenders. Capuan leaders responsible for the betrayal to Hannibal are put to death.
Scipio assumes command of Spain. He treats Marcius with great respect and keeps him at his side.
Marcellus returns from victory in Sicily. He is not allowed to celebrate a formal triumph, since the war is not over. So he celebrates a Triumph on the Alban Mount. An Ovatio is given in the city. Carthaginians return to Sicily and this keeps Roman busy there.
Hannibal is not considered as much of a threat in Italy. The Senate sends one new consul to Macedonia to take over for Laevinus. However, this consul becomes ill and returns. In the next year Laevinus and Marcellus are elected consuls. Laevinus offers an alliance with the Aetolians. This is the first time Rome has formed an alliance with a Greek state. The wording of the document put out feelers for alliance with other rules and governments at the eastern end of the Mediterranean.
Marcellus holds a Senate meeting. He complains of trumped up charges while he was in command in Sicily. It seems that Marcellus hit problems head on. It is interesting that there are no comments discussion, complains about the art which he brought back from Sicily. This fits in with comments made by Gruen in his book Culture and National Identity in Republican Rome.
There is much complaint about property loss and much discontent. apparently loosing battles did not generate love in all allies of Rome. Rome was to be set on fire by Capuans. Slaves reported the matter. Those involved were arrested. One can only wonder, if Hannibal was behind this. Another matter I find fascinating is the difficult Rome faced concerning secrecy of plans when access to Rome from most of Italy was an easy matter. Plus being Roman was not a matter of race belonging to a city or language. Must have complicated things a great deal.
Marcellus is assigned Sicily and Laevinus, Italy.
Sicilians visit houses of Senators and lay complaints against Marcellus. The matter was soon raised in the Senate. Consuls agree to switch assignments.
Sicilians given audience in the Senate. They claim that Marcellus is unreliable and they lament the loss of sacred images. Laevinus asks the Sicilians when they are done to leave the chamber. Marcellus counters the measure and says,”We generals, waging war on your behalf are expected to accept as our accusers the men we have beaten in battle.” He gives a vigorous defense of his actions in Syracuse. He warns the Senate that more is at stake than his command or actions in Sicily. His country is at stake. Commanders in the future will be less anxious to do their duty from fear of prosecution by a defeated enemy.
In the end the Senate upholds Marcellus’ actions in Sicily. Senate upheld Fulvius actions concerning Capua, too. He also had come in for heavy criticism for the way he handled matters there. Marcellus stiffened their backbone.
It was decided that the College of Pontiffs were to determine whether the art work was sacred or profane and make sure that art which came from Sicily was properly handled.
The Senate learns that more oarsmen were needed. Consuls issue an edict. Private individuals must fund oarsmen for a 30 day period. There is a strong protest.
Laevinus offers a solution. Senators should set an example. They must contribute money. All other classes follow their example.
All Sicily is abandoned by Carthage. Laevinus is successful.
Scipio attacks New Carthage and with the help of his remarkable skills and the wind, he captured the Carthaginian capital in Spain.
XXVll.
In Italy Marcellus defeats a Carthaginian army. Fulvius is defeated by Hannibal. Marcellus heads south to deal with Hannibal. Some Latin communities refuse to allow troops to be levied. The Senate is shocked but other communities came forward.
Marcellus when he encounters Hannibal gives no respite. Constant harassment, and battles are offered. Tarentum which had been under siege by Q. Fabius Maximus finally fell. in 209 BC.
In Spain Scipio (son of the Scipio killed there) gains more and more Spanish allies. His charm, confidence and success made him a force to be reckoned with in several ways. At Baecula Scipio is victorious. Hasdrubal escapes with a large army out of Spain.
In Italy Marcellus is under heavy criticism by political enemies. Tribunes are used to lead the charge. War the Tribune said was being prolonged to allow Marcellus to keep control, Marcellus was unfit for command. Marcellus successfully defends himself and again is elected consul.
Senate meeting. There is an argument on what to do with Marcus Livius who had held the citadel of Tarentum for five years until the town itself was recaptured by Fabius. There was some very heavy political jockeying here. Which political group would receive credit for this plum? During the debate Fabius gave one of his famous quips: “I admit that the recovery of Tarentum was due to Livius, for it could not have been recovered by me, if it had not been first lost.”
In several of the exchanges concerning Marcellus it is reasonably clear that Livy’s sources he used for this decade came from hostile sources where Marcellus was concerned. During the constant conflict in which Marcellus engaged, he was killed, the other consul who had joined his army to Marcellus’ was wounded. Marcellus was 60 years old. I hope that I have his energy when that old. (Not far off).
Laevinus raided Africa.
Disturbances in Greece kept Romans watchful and concerned.
Gaius Claudius Nero and Marcus Livius were elected consuls. Good timing for both consular armies were leaderless. Livius was to advance north to stop Hasdrubal. Nero was to head south and prevent Hannibal from joining his brother. Livius was at Sena- his camp a mere 500 yards from Hasdrubal. Nero in the south managed to get Hannibal to withdraw south into Apulia. Hannibal knew that his brother was coming but did not expect him until summer. Hasdrubal made it though the Alps with much more speed than expected.
Hasdrubal sent riders to inform Hannibal that they meet in Umbria. The riders are captured. Nero upon learning this decided that a new plan was required. He leaves Quintius Catius in command of the army at Canusium.
Rome was alarmed. The whole situation seemed to favor Hannibal. Nero, however, selected 6,000 of his best, 1,000 cavalry and heads north. He covered 250 miles in 7 days. When he was near Livius advised Nero to enter camp at night and have his men share tents with those of his, Livius’, army. Hasdrubal’s scouts have no idea of the increase in numbers.
There is talk of giving Nero’s men time to rest. Nero opposes. He felt that the advantage of surprise should not be lost. Nero and Livius move out of camp for battle. Hasdrubal when he hears the separate signals which indicate the present of two consular armies, decides it is best to find another rout. He travels along the Metaurus River. Soon Livius was heavily engaged with Hasdrubal. Nero sends a group around to the rear of the enemy. The Carthaginians lost 52,000 men, the Romans lost 8,000.
Without pause almost Nero rushes south to check Hannibal. The head of Hasdrubal was tossed into Hannibal’s camp.
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