Battle of the Second Punic War between the Carthaginian forces of Hannibal and the Romans under Publius Cornelius Scipio in November 218 BCE
The Carthaginian cavalry victory at Ticinus demonstrated Hannibal's tactical superiority and opened northern Italy to his campaign against Rome.
Key Facts
- Date
- Late November 218 BC
- Carthaginian cavalry
- 6,000 Libyan and Iberian cavalry
- Roman cavalry
- 3,600 Roman, Italian and Gallic cavalry
- Rearguard captured
- 600 Roman soldiers captured next day
- Scipio's age at rescue
- Saved by his 16-year-old son
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Rome declared war in early 218 BC after Hannibal's actions in Iberia were deemed infringements of Roman prerogatives. Hannibal marched his army out of Iberia, through Gaul, and across the Alps into Cisalpine Gaul, where many local tribes were hostile to Rome. Consul Scipio advanced along the north bank of the Po intending to engage Hannibal before he could consolidate his position in northern Italy.
Both commanders led cavalry forces to reconnoitre each other near the Ticinus river. Hannibal deployed close-order cavalry in the centre with Numidian light cavalry on the wings; Scipio mixed javelinmen among his cavalry. The Carthaginian centre charged immediately on sighting Roman infantry, scattering the javelinmen. After an indecisive melee, the Numidians enveloped both flanks, routing the Romans. Scipio was wounded and rescued by his teenage son.
The Romans broke and fled with heavy casualties; Scipio retreated across the Ticinus that night, and 600 of his rearguard were captured. Scipio entrenched to await reinforcements under Tiberius Longus, who arrived in December but was heavily defeated by Hannibal at the Trebia. The following spring, reinforced by Gallic tribesmen, Hannibal moved south into Roman Italy, campaigning there for the next twelve years.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Hannibal.
Side B
1 belligerent
Publius Cornelius Scipio.