Revolt in Sardinia (215 BC)
In winter 215 BC the Carthaginians, hearing of the revolt of Hampsicora in Sardinia, sent an army and a fleet under Hasdrubal (7) the Bald to join him. When he landed on the island, Hasdrubal united his forces with those of Hampsicora and marched to Cornus/Caralis, where they were met by the praetor 06Manlius Torquatus (fl.235-202 BC). A pitched battle ensued, which ended in the total defeat of the Carthaginian army and the capture of Hasdrubal, who was taken to Rome.
War in Spain (215-211 BC) [2/7]
When the news of the Roman defeat at Cannae reached Carthage, Hasdrubal (5) was ordered to force his way into Italy. Relieved by Himilco (4) with a second army, who took over the task of suppressing the Turdetani in the south, Hasdrubal marched northeast to the Ebro River. The Scipio brothers crossed the Ebro and made contact with Hasdrubal’s army at Dertosa near to the mouth of the Ebro. In the engagement that ensued Hasdrubal employed the same tactics as his brother had at Cannae, but was defeated when his centre collapsed before his wings could outflank the enemy.
After this defeat, more Iberian tribes revolted from the Carthaginian, and the Carthaginians sent to Spain reinforcements that had been destined for Italy, under 06Mago Barca. However, when Carthage came under threat by native risings under Syphax (fl.208-202 BC), chief of the Masaesyli of western Numidia, Hasdrubal (5) was recalled to Africa.
Over the next few years the Scipios gradually occupied territory south of the Ebro, winning over many tribes and capturing the strategically important town of Saguntum in 212 BC. Meanwhile, Carthage had quelled the rebellion and now had three armies in Spain under 05Hasdrubal Barca, Mago (6) and Hasdrubal (8) (fl.214-202 BC) Gisco, respectively.
In 211 BC the Scipios, who had hired twenty thousand Celtiberian mercenaries to reinforce their army of thirty thousand foot and three thousand horse, observing that the three Carthaginian armies were deployed separately from each other (Hasdrubal Barca had fifteen thousand troops near Amtorgis and further to the west Mago and Gisco each had ten thousand troops), decided to divide their forces. This stratagem led to two battles, fought about a month apart, known collectively as the Battle of the Upper Baetis.
Publius 15Cornelius Scipio led out two thirds of the old army, i.e. the legions and the Italian allies, against Mago and Gisco at Castulo; while Gnaeus (15) with the remaining third and the Celtiberians, confronted Hasdrubal Barca.
Publius discovered that Mago and Gisco were to be joined by eight thousand Suessetani under Indibilis and Mandonius, chieftains of the Iberian tribe Ilergetae. He decided to intercept the Iberian force and was inflicting heavy casualties when Masinissa (c.90; fl.211-148 BC) a prince of the Massylii of eastern Numidia, arrived with his cavalry. Soon, the Carthaginian infantry arrived and the pressure became overwhelming. Publius was killed by a thrown javelin and as the news of his death spread, the Roman army dissolved in rout.
During the few days that were usually spent before the opening of a battle, Hasdrubal Barca bribed the Celtiberians to return home. Gnaeus was forced to withdraw and was then harassed by the Numidian cavalry until he was caught and slain with his men at Ilorci, inland from New Carthage.
With their actions in Spain the Scipio brothers had prevented supplies and reinforcements being sent to Hannibal. Now that they were both dead the Carthaginian commanders should have sent at least one of their armies to Italy, but confident that they had effectively destroyed the Roman forces in Spain, they continued with a leisurely pursuit.The survivors of Publius’ army led by the legate Tiberius 01Fonteius and those of Gnaeus’ army led by the Roman equestrian Lucius 05Marcius Septimius, escaped northwards. By withdrawing the garrisons from south of the Ebro, the Romans managed to assemble a force of some ten thousand. Marcius was elected command and was able to preserve a Roman base in northern Spain. Although the Carthaginians managed to cross the river, further effective action from that side was precluded by dissension among the three commanders.
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