Hannibal completed his mane from New Carthage to Italy iu five months, during which he lost a great number of men, especially in his passage over the Alps. According to a statement engraved by his order on a column at Lacinlum, in Bruttia, which Polybius saw, his many was reduced to 12,000 Africans, 8000 Spaniards, and 6000 cavalry, when be arrived in the territories of the Inaubrian Gauls. After remaining some time among the Insubrians to recruit his army, ha marched southward and encountered P. Cornelius Scipio on the right bank of the liver Ticinua (Teaino). In the battle which ensued the Romans were defeated, and Scipio with the remainder of the army retreating along the left bank of the Po, crossed the river before Ilanuibal could overtake him, and encamped near Placentia. lie afterward. retreated more to the south, and entrenched himself strongly on the right bank of the Treble, where he waited for tho arrival of the army under the other consul T. Sempronius. Sempro nius bad already crossed over into Sicily with the intention of sailing to Africa, when he was recalled to join his colleague. After the union of the two armies Sempronius determined, against the advice of Scipio, to risk another battle. The skill and fortune of Hannibal again pre vailed; the Romans were entirely defeated, and the troops which survived took refuge in the fortified cities. In consequence of these victories the whole of Cisalpine Gaul (the northern part of Italy) fell lute the bands of Hannibal ; and the Gauls, who on his first arrival were prevented from joining him by the presence of Scipio's army in their country, now eagerly assisted him with men and .applies.
In the following year (n.c. 217) the Romans made great preparations to oppose their formidable enemy. Two new armies were levied ; one was posted at Arretium, under the command of the consul Flaminius, and the other at Ariminurn, under the other consul Servilina. Hannibal determined to attack Flaminius first. In his march southward through the swamps of the basin of the Arno his army suffered greatly, Arad he himself lost the sight of one eye, by an attack of ophthalmia. After resting his troops for a short time in the neighbourhood of Ftesulm, he marched past Arretium, ravaging tho country as he went, with the view of drawing out Flaminius to a battle. Flamlnius, who appears to have been a rash, headstrong man, hastily followed Hannibal, and being attacked in the basin of the Lake Trasimenus, was completely defeated by the Carthaginians, who were posted on the mountains which encircled the valley. Three or four days after, Hannibal cut off a detachment of Roman cavalry, amounting to 4000 men, which had been sent by Servilius to assist his colleague.
Hannibal appears to have entertained hopes of overthrowing tho Roman dominion, and to have expected that the other gates of Italy would take up arms against Rome, in order to recover their inde prudence. To conciliate the affoctiona of the Italians, he dismissed
without ransom all the prisoners whom he took in battle; and to give them an opportunity of joining his army, he marched slowly along the eastern side of tho peninsula, through Umbria and Puseuum, into Apulia; but he did not mcot with that co-operation which he appears have expected.
After the defeat of Flamiuins, Q. Fabius Maximus was appointed dictator, and a defensive system of warfare was adopted by the Romans till the end of the year.
In the following year, ex. 216, the Romans resolved upon another battle. An army of 80,000 foot and 6000 horse was raised, which was commanded by the consuls L Paulus and C. Terentius Varro. The Carthaginian army now amounted to 40,000 [foot and 10,000 horse. The armies were encamped in the neighbourhood of Cannes, in Apulia. In the battle which was fought near this place the Romans were defeated with dreadful carnage, and with a loss which, as stated by Polybina, is quite incredible : the whole of the infantry engaged in the battle, amounting to 70,000, was destroyed, with the exception of 3000 men who escaped to the neighbouring cities, and also all the cavalry, with the exception of 300 belonging to the allies, and 70 that escaped with Yarns A detachment of 10,000 foot, which had been sent to surprise the Carthaginian camp, was obliged to surrender as prisoners. The consul L sEmilius, and the two consuls of the former year, Servilius and Attilius, were also among the Blain. Hannibal lost only 4000 Gauls, 1500 Africans and Spaniards, and 200 horse.
This victory placed the whole of Lower Italy in the power of Hannibal ; but it was not followed by such important results as might have teen expected. Hannibal, for some unexplained reason, delayed to follow up his victory, and the delay gave the Romans time to repair their loss and make preparations again to take the field against him. He probably expected a general rising of the Italian cities against the Roman tyranny. Caput and most of the cities of Campania espoused his cause, but the majority of the Italian states coatis:nod firm to Rome. The defensive system was uow strictly adopted by the Romans, and Hannibal was unable to make any active exertions for the further conquest of Italy till he received a reinforce mbnt of troops. He was in hopes of obtaining support from Philip of Macedon and from the Syracusens, with both of whoui he formed an alliance; but the Romans found means to keep Philip employed in Greece, and Syracuse was besieged and taken by Mercellus, s.c. 214-212.
In addition to this, Capita was retaken by the Romans, ate. 211. Hannibal was therefore obliged to depend upon the Carthaginians for help, and Ilasdrubal was socordingly ordered to march from Spain to his assistance.