The Other Theaters of War (216 – 211 BC)

At the turn of the new year in 215 BC Hannibal marches to a region in Southern Italy called Campania to accrue more allies and to capture a port town so he can secure a direct link to Carthage. Rome decides it will press on with the war effort against the invaders. They’ve made the valiant decision to not give an inch to their enemy. They won’t stand down until Hannibal and his army are thoroughly defeated. But to anyone observing this conflict Rome appears as a fighter groveling on his knees where a gentle shove is all that’s needed knock him out of the ring.

Nevertheless they will continue the rapid manufacturing of armed forces in the homeland but they will no longer attack Hannibal directly. They restore Fabius “the delayer” as Consul once more. Fabius will lead his armies South and stretch them across the region acting as a barricade to Hannibal and his men.

There are two key elements tethering the Republic to life support. All of which lie beyond Hannibal’s control. Rome’s ability to draw new armies by pulling from its immense population pool. And Roman success in the other theaters of war.

It’s important to note that Carthage cared more about holding Iberia than Italy. Spain had been inculcated into a Carthaginian colony centuries before the war. It shares deep cultural and economic ties with Carthage. Many of its citizens grew up in and reside in Spain so holding that region for them is paramount.

The Scipio’s vs. The Barca’s: A Clash of Families

Carthage never cares about conquering Rome or making Italy a colony. In their eyes Hannibal’s purpose for being there is to scorch and plunder the countryside and hopefully force a peace deal with Rome. So while Hannibal issues repeated calls for reinforcements, Carthage ignores their greatest general and directs the brunt of its resources to Spain.

Hannibal’s younger brothers Hasdrubal and Mago spend the early years of the war keeping Iberia from falling into Roman hands. Since the beginning of the war Hasdrubal’s objective is to secure Spain and eventually lead his army over the Alps and into Italy so he can link up with Hannibal. But his eagerness to reunite with his brother is matched by Roman eagerness to keep the Barca’s in Spain.

In fall of 216 BC, A few months after the slaughter at Cannae the Romans send two of its most talented generals to Spain. As fate would have it, the two men leading this charge are brothers themselves, Publius and Gnaeus Scipio. The reader may recall Publius as the first Roman general to clash with Hannibal at Ticinus and Trebia in 218 BC. He was defeated both times and nearly drowned in a river before his teenage son pulled him to safety.

A Rare Victory for Rome

The Scipio brothers position themselves between the Carthaginians and the pathway to the Alps at the Ebro River. While Mago is recounting Hannibal’s great victory at Cannae to the Carthaginian court, Hasdrubal attacks the Scipio’s at the Ebro in late 216 BC. The Scipio’s thoroughly repel the middle Barca brother. Hasdrubal backs away with his army in tatters. The Roman victory in Spain gives the Republic some badly needed jubilation. It also weakens Hannibal’s war effort in Italy.

No Reinforcements for Hannibal

Mago, the youngest Barca, leaves Carthage with 12,000 Carthaginian reinforcements for Hannibal. His sails are bound for Italy. But the news of Hasdrubal’s defeat compels Carthage to divert Mago and his men to Spain.

Hasdrubal and the Scipio’s square off in a series of intense back-and-forth skirmishes for the next few years. Much of what occurs between 215 and 212 BC is lost to history. But we know that by 211 BC Mago lands in Spain and links up with another Carthaginian force, marshaling a huge Carthaginian army. Mago rushes to join forces with Hasdrubal so their numerically superior forces can wipe out the Scipio brothers and open a clear route to the Alps.

The Scipio brothers decide to divide their forces and attack each Barca brother one at a time. This decision will prove disastrous for Roman fortune. Publius Scipio confronts the youngest Barca brother. Mago surrounds the Roman force and annihilates them. A spear impairs Public Scipio thus ending his life.

Mago wastes no time celebrating his victory. He quickly joins forces with Hasdrubal and they aggressively pursue the surviving Scipio brother. They eventually catch Gnaeus Scipio and their combined force wipes him out as well. In 211 BC the Scipio brothers are no more. Publius is survived by his 24 year-old son of the same name, Publius Scipio.

Rome is once again thrust into tremendous upheaval. Their Spanish armies depleted. Their hold now hangs by a thread. Despite the setback for Rome the Scipio brothers did buy the Republic much needed time to build up its armies in Italy after Cannae. They successfully kept the younger Barca’s in Spain during Rome’s most vulnerable point. Had Hasdrubal been able to cross the Alps and link up with Hannibal during those turbulent years then Rome might have faced its end.

The Mediterranean waters remain the only theater of war where the Roman’s experience complete dominance. The Roman Navy at this time easily outnumbers and outmatches its rival. Their fleet bests the Carthaginians again and again. Rome controls the seas around Spain, Italy, Sardinia and Sicily. This makes almost any attempt for Carthage to send reinforcements to Hannibal a logistical impossibility. It also puts tremendous strain on Carthage to coordinate the broader war effort with any of its foreign theaters. This factor perhaps more than any other keeps Rome alive in this struggle.

Hannibal Plays and Loses the Naval Game

Shortly after the destruction at Cannae King Phillip V who reigns over Macedon forms an alliance with Hannibal. Hannibal had been corresponding with the Hellenistic King knowing that Macedon housed worthy Armada. If King Phillip V can punch a whole in Rome’s naval hegemony he could land his army in Italy. But when the Romans catch wind of this communication they take immediate action. They refuse to let this newly formed alliance bear fruit so they dispatch dozens of ships to Macedon and they eviscerate Phillip’s armada.

Their success essentially kills the Macedon Carthaginian alliance in its crib. Plus it ensures that Rome will enjoy dominion of the seas for the remainder of the war.

During the 2nd Punic War few theaters become the epicenter of struggle between Rome and Carthage than Sicily. The island serves as a crucial geographical stronghold because it’s the closest land mass to North Africa. If Rome conquers Sicily they can easily mount an amphibious invasion of Carthage. During the war both sides pour vast resources into control of the island. The unquestionable prize within the island being the city of Syracuse.

The Struggle for Syracuse (213 – 212 BC)

Syracuse is Sicily’s wealthiest city and is ruled by King Hiero II. Hiero is a staunch supporter of Rome. From the very beginning he mandated the city to swear obeisance to their Italian ally. But as the war progresses Hiero’s grip over the city loosens. The King is in his 90’s and his expected demise, along with Hannibal’s historic victories on the battlefield turn many in Sicily against the King. A movement erupts in Syracuse to supplant the ailing King and replace him with a Carthaginian loyalist. The man spearheading the insurrection is the King’s own son.

Death does eventually take King Hiero II. A presumed natural death with no evidence of foul play. Syracuse devolves into a virulent battle ground between Rome and Carthage almost resembling a civil war. Outside the city walls, Rome and Carthage tear each other to pieces for control of the city. Fighting sprays the land and sea with the blood of the fallen. But fortune for once breaks in Rome’s favor. After a year-long siege, the Romans manage to break through its formidable walls. What ensues is a graphic sacking of one of the most famous cities of antiquity. The Romans slaughter the population. They steal much of the city’s riches and priceless art which they send to Rome.

Among the slain is one of history’s most famous scientists and engineers, Archimedes. According to legend, Archimedes was conducting an experiment when a Roman soldier, not recognizing the iconic figure, cut him down. To modern audiences he is perhaps most well-known for establishing the principle of buoyancy and coining the popular term “eureka!” The magnificent mosaic from the 2nd century AD captures his tragic demise.

Sicily Belongs to Rome

Sicily had been neutral and independent during both Punic Wars but now in 211 BC it lies firmly in Roman hands. It’s by far their largest strategic gain since the war began.

The War slowly turns in Rome’s favor but it’s far from over. Hannibal and his army still menaces their homeland. The Barca brothers roam free in Spain. They have no answer for Hannibal but they are beginning to figure out other ways to hurt the general. Their tactic, win wherever Hannibal isn’t, has been employed to relative success abroad. In the next episode, Rome will take their resolve directly to Hannibal himself.

Continued in Part 9…

Timeline

216 BC – Capua falls to Hannibal

216 BC – The Scipio Brothers defeat Hasdrubal at the Ebro River in Spain

213 The war for Syracuse begins

212 BC – Romans sack Syracuse, Sicily essentially belongs to Rome

211 BC – Hasdrubal and Mago destroy the Romans in Spain, Scipio brother’s killed

If you want to learn more about Hannibal Barca and the 2nd Punic War then please read Hannibal by Patrick N Hunt

Want more history? Check out my other blog posts right here!