207 BC · Metaurus River, Umbria (central Italy) Theater
207 BC
Hasdrubal Barca led a second Carthaginian army over the Alps to reinforce his brother Hannibal in southern Italy. Two Roman consular armies, deployed separately to block Hannibal and watch the passes, used interior lines to unite before Hasdrubal knew he faced both. At the Metaurus River, Hasdrubal found his left flank unable to negotiate broken ground; Nero made a bold march around the Carthaginian rear and struck from behind. Hasdrubal, seeing the battle was lost, charged into the Roman ranks and died fighting. His severed head was thrown into Hannibal's camp. Hannibal understood immediately: the war was lost.
Commanders