Battle of the Trebia
First major battle of the Second Punic War, a heavy Roman defeat.
The battle took place on the flood plain of the west bank of the lower Trebia River, not far from the settlement of Placentia (modern Piacenza), and resulted in a heavy defeat for the Romans.
- location
- Flood plain of the west bank of the lower Trebia River, near Placentia (modern Piacenza)
- combatants
- Carthage vs. Rome
- commanders
- Hannibal (Carthage), Sempronius Longus (Rome)
- outcome
- Heavy Roman defeat
Lore & Background
Hannibal led a large army from Iberia, through Gaul, across the Alps into Cisalpine Gaul. The Romans attacked the reduced force at the Battle of Ticinus, where they were beaten and Scipio wounded. The Romans retreated near Placentia, fortified their camp, and awaited reinforcement. The Roman army in Sicily under Sempronius was redeployed north and joined Scipio's force. After a day of heavy skirmishing in which the Romans gained the upper hand, Sempronius was eager for a battle.
Reader's Guide
Hannibal used his Numidian cavalry to lure the Romans out of their camp onto ground of his choosing. Fresh Carthaginian cavalry routed the outnumbered Roman cavalry, and Carthaginian light infantry outflanked the Roman infantry. A previously hidden Carthaginian force attacked the Roman infantry in the rear. The following spring, it moved south into Roman Italy, gaining another victory at Lake Trasimene.
Did You Know?
- A previously hidden Carthaginian force attacked the Roman infantry in the rear.
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