Pivotal battle in the Second Punic War between Rome and Carthage, fought in 207 BCE near the Metauro River in present-day Italy
The Roman victory ended Carthaginian hopes of reinforcing Hannibal, effectively deciding the outcome of the Second Punic War in Rome's favor.
Key Facts
- Date
- 207 BC
- Carthaginian casualties
- 15,400 killed or captured
- Carthaginian commander killed
- Hasdrubal Barca
- Roman consuls
- Marcus Livius and Gaius Claudius Nero
- Hannibal's retreat
- Withdrew to Bruttium for four years
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Hasdrubal Barca marched from Iberia to northern Italy to deliver siege equipment and reinforcements to his brother Hannibal. Roman consul Gaius Claudius Nero, after engaging Hannibal at Grumentum in southern Italy, conducted a secret forced march northward to join consul Marcus Livius, giving the Romans a sudden numerical advantage before Hasdrubal could react.
In 207 BC, the combined Roman consular armies under Livius and Nero met Hasdrubal's Carthaginian force near the Metauro River. The Romans exploited their superior numbers to outflank the Carthaginian army, routing it decisively. Hasdrubal was killed in the fighting, and 15,400 Carthaginian soldiers were killed or captured.
The destruction of Hasdrubal's army deprived Hannibal of the reinforcements he needed to continue offensive operations in Italy. Hannibal was forced to abandon pro-Carthaginian towns across much of southern Italy and withdraw to Bruttium, where he remained for four years. The battle confirmed Roman supremacy over the Italian peninsula and foreshadowed Carthage's eventual defeat.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Marcus Livius Salinator, Gaius Claudius Nero.
Side B
1 belligerent
Hasdrubal Barca.