What was the significance of the Battle of Trebia?
The Battle of the Trebia (or Trebbia) was the first major battle of the Second Punic War, fought between the Carthaginian forces of Hannibal and the Roman Republic in December of 218 BC, on or around the winter solstice. It was a resounding Roman defeat with heavy losses, with only about 10,000 out...
How did Hannibal win the Battle of Trebia?
A short time later, Hannibal descended on a larger Roman force along the Trebia River. Taking advantage of a rash Roman commander, he won a crushing victory. The triumph at Trebia was the first of several that Hannibal would win during his time in Italy.
What is the best book on the Battle of Trebbia?
The Battle of Trebbia". Hannibal: Enemy of Rome (reprint, illustrated ed.). Da Capo Press. ISBN 978-0-306-80498-4. Dodge, Theodore Ayrault (1891). "XIX. The Battle of the Trebia. December, 218 B.C.". Hannibal. Great Captains. Boston and New York: Houghton Mifflin and Company. Grundy, G.B. (1896). "The Trebbia and Lake Trasimene". pp. 83–118 .
How many Romans died at the Battle of Trebbia?
The Roman army fought bravely, but it was put to flight when Mago’s force of 2,000 infantry and cavalry emerged from concealment and assaulted the Roman rear. At least 15,000 Romans died at Trebbia, and possibly another 12,000–15,000 were taken prisoner; the Carthaginians suffered approximately 5,000 casualties.
What happened at the Battle of Trebia?
Battle of the Trebbia River, (December 218 bce), first major battle of the Second Punic War, in which the Carthaginian forces of Hannibal defeated the Roman army under Tiberius Sempronius Longus on the banks of the Trebbia River.
Why did the Battle of Trebia happen?
Recognising the Carthaginians as the dominant force in Cisalpine Gaul, Gallic recruits flocked to them and their army grew to 60,000. The following spring it moved south into Roman Italy and gained another victory at the Battle of Lake Trasimene....Battle of the TrebiaTi. Sempronius LongusHannibalStrength10 more rows
Where did the Battle of Trebia take place?
ItalyTrebbiaBattle of the Trebia/LocationsThe Battle of Trebbia or the Napoleonic Battle of the Trebbia (17–20 June 1799) was fought near the Trebbia River in northern Italy between the joint Russian and Habsburg army under Alexander Suvorov and the Republican French army of Jacques MacDonald.
How did Hannibal win the Battle of Trebia?
Taking the Romans by surprise, he advanced through the Po Valley and won a minor victory at Ticinus. A short time later, Hannibal descended on a larger Roman force along the Trebia River. Taking advantage of a rash Roman commander, he won a crushing victory.
How did Hannibal lose his eye?
The water was so evenly distributed that there wasn't a place to sleep, so when Hannibal got a nasty infection in his right eye, he simply bore it until dry land was found. A few days later and the damage was irreversible, Hannibal suffered along with his men and took no special treatment.
Who lost the Battle of Trebia?
Hannibal successfully inflicted massive destruction on the Roman forces at Trebia while only losing a few hundred of his own men. The greatest lost to Hannibal's forces was nearly all of his war elephants which he had successfully employed in the battle of Trebia (Lazenby 57).
Where is River as Trebia?
northern ItalyThe Trebbia (stressed Trèbbia; Latin: Trebia) is a river predominantly of Liguria and Emilia Romagna in northern Italy. It is one of the four main right-bank tributaries of the river Po, the other three being the Tanaro, the Secchia and the Panaro.
How big was the Roman army that was marching toward Hannibal in 216 BCE?
80,000 troopsAccording to the ancient historian Polybius, Hannibal had around 40,000 infantry and 10,000 cavalry at his disposal (his famous war elephants had all died by 216). The Romans boasted some 80,000 troops and 6,000 cavalry.
What was Hannibal's greatest achievement?
Hannibal is most famous for what he did in the Second Punic War. He marched an army from Iberia over the Pyrenees mountains and the Alps mountains into northern Italy and defeated the Romans in a series of battles.
Why did Rome destroy Carthage?
Battle of Carthage, (146 bce). The destruction of Carthage was an act of Roman aggression prompted as much by motives of revenge for earlier wars as by greed for the rich farming lands around the city. The Carthaginian defeat was total and absolute, instilling fear and horror into Rome's enemies and allies.
Why did Carthage not support Hannibal?
Hannibal, like his father before him, was constantly asking Carthage for help in winning their war for them and, just as they had with Hamilcar, Carthage refused to provide what was necessary for total victory.
Why did Hannibal lose at Zama?
Hannibal's Carthaginian army, which included many African war elephants, was crushed by Scipio Africanus' Roman force backed by Numidian allies. After this defeat Carthage was forced to accept terms so severe that it was never able to challenge Rome for hegemony over the Mediterranean ever again.
Who defeated the Roman army in the Battle of Trebbia?
Battle of the Trebbia River, (December 218 bce ), first major battle of the Second Punic War, in which the Carthaginian forces of Hannibal defeated the Roman army under Tiberius Sempronius Longus on the banks of the Trebbia River.
How many Romans died in Trebbia?
At least 15,000 Romans died at Trebbia, and possibly another 12,000–15,000 were taken prisoner; the Carthaginians suffered approximately 5,000 casualties.
What was the second Punic War?
Second Punic War, second (218–201 bce) in a series of wars between the Roman Republic and the Carthaginian (Punic) empire that resulted in Roman hegemony over the western Mediterranean. In the years after the First Punic War, Rome wrested Corsica and Sardinia from Carthage and forced…
Where did Publius Cornelius Scipio withdraw his troops from?
Roman consul Publius Cornelius Scipio was wounded in a cavalry skirmish with Hannibal at the Ticinus (now Ticino) River in late 218 bce, and he withdrew his forces to Placentia (modern Piacenza ), near the confluence of the Trebbia and Po rivers. After reinforcing Scipio’s army, consul Tiberius Sempronius Longus had hoped to engage Hannibal, ...
Why were the Romans dispatched across the Trebbia?
The Romans were dispatched across the Trebbia in pursuit of the Numidians; the hardy Numidian mounts forded the cold river with little difficulty, whereas the Roman infantry assembled on the far banks of the Trebbia soaked and shivering. The Romans held the clear numerical advantage, but Hannibal’s warm, rested, ...
What did Sempronius try to convince the Roman Senate that the Battle was not a defeat but rather a
Sempronius tried to convince the Roman Senate that the battle was not a defeat but rather a temporary setback that he blamed on the weather. This version of events was starkly at odds with the greatly diminished strength of Sempronius’s forces.
Who was the Roman consul who was wounded in a battle with Hannibal?
Roman consul Publius Cornelius Scipio was wounded in a cavalry skirmish with Hannibal at the Ticinus (now Ticino) River in late 218 bce, and he withdrew his forces to Placentia (modern Piacenza ), near the confluence of the Trebbia and Po rivers. After reinforcing Scipio’s army, consul Tiberius Sempronius Longus had hoped to engage Hannibal, thinking that he could win glory against the Carthaginian general. Using information gained from his spies, Hannibal correctly gauged the rash character of Sempronius, surmising that he likely could be provoked into battle at a time and place of Hannibal’s choosing. Although his forces were possibly outnumbered by as much as a third (it is estimated that 30,000 Carthaginians and allies faced roughly 42,000 Romans), Hannibal knew that Sempronius was a political appointee without much military experience. He further understood that Roman consuls alternated leadership every other day. Although Scipio, a veteran officer, advocated delaying engagement until winter had passed, Hannibal knew that he needed only wait until Sempronius had assumed command to provoke a confrontation.
When was the Battle of Trebbia?
Battle of Trebbia (1799) Part of the French Revolutionary Wars. Suvarov's battle at Trebbia by Aleksandr E. Kotsebu. Date. 17–20 June 1799. Location.
Who led the French forces in the Battle of Trebbia?
On 17 July, the leading French divisions bumped into a holding force led by Peter Karl Ott von Bátorkéz along the Tidone River. Ott was rapidly reinforced by the bulk of the Austro-Russian army and the French pulled back to the Trebbia.
How many people were killed in the Battle of Piacenza?
Suvorov determined to finish with the French so he ordered a new attack at 4:00 am on 20 June. When the Allied forces reached the west bank they found MacDonald's army gone. The French abandoned 7,183 wounded men in Piacenza which suggested that their losses may have been as high as 12,000 when the killed, transportable wounded and captured were counted. The Russians reported 681 killed and 2,073 wounded for a total of 2,754 while the Austrians admitted losing 254 killed, 1,903 wounded and 500 missing for a total of 2,657. Historian Christopher Duffy rounded these figures up to 6,000 Allied casualties. Digby Smith reported similar Allied losses, though he included three Russian generals wounded. From a total of 33,000 French, he estimated losses as 2,000 killed, 7,500 wounded (most of whom became prisoners) plus 7,000 men, seven guns and eight colors captured. Gunther E. Rothenberg gave Allied losses as 5,000 killed and wounded and 500 captured out of 20,000 Russians and 17,000 Austrians. He stated French losses as 9,500 killed and wounded and 7,000 captured out of 33,000. R. Ernest Dupuy and Trevor N. Dupuy rounded the losses to 10,000 French and 7,000 Allied, but asserted that 5,000 French became prisoners during the retreat that followed. French General of Division Alexis Aimé Pierre Cambray was mortally wounded during the battle and died 2 July.
Who was ordered to cross the Trebbia?
Montrichard was ordered to cross the Trebbia near Gragnano in the center while Olivier was instructed to crack the Allied line farther north near San Nicolò. On the extreme right flank, Watrin and Salme were told to seize Calendasco and turn the Allied left flank. Battle of Trebbia - Evening of the Third Day.
What time did Förster pressed back Victor's division?
Starting at 5:00 pm, Förster slowly pressed back the right wing of Victor's division. Finally the French evacuated Gragnano and fell back across the Trebbia. Salme's Advanced Guard, which was posted near Sant' Imento north of the highway, was unchallenged most of the day.
What battle did MacDonald lose?
MacDonald lost touch with Dombrowski's command. Nevertheless, MacDonald fell on the Austrians at Modena with two divisions. On 12 June in the Battle of Modena, the French inflicted losses of 750 killed and wounded on their enemies while capturing 1,650 men, eight guns and three colors.
Who spotted Dombrowski's outflanking column and directed Bagration's troops against it?
Battle of Trebbia - Evening of the Third Day. Chasteler spotted Dombrowski's outflanking column and directed Bagration's troops against it. Dombrowski's division seized Rivalta and advanced up the Trebbia's west bank as far as the hamlet of Canetto before they ran into the Russians.
Sources and solutions
The two main sources on the battle are the History of Rome by Livy (Book XXI) and Histories of Polybius (Book III).
Prelude
Hannibal began the Second Punic War in 219 BC by attacking the Roman-allied city of Saguntum just north of what is now Valencia in Spain.
Numbers
When Scipio left Massilia (Marseilles) he had no or minimal forces. In north Italy he superseded Lucius Manlius, acquiring his two legions plus 10,000 allied infantry and 1,000 cavalry (less losses inflicted by the Boii, at least 1,300 ), and Gaius Atilius, reacquiring the legion that had been taken from him by the Senate plus 5,000 allies.
Battle
The December of 218 BC was cold and snowy.
Aftermath
The next night, according to Livy, "the camp garrison and the other survivors, mainly wounded men, crossed the Trebia on rafts." Scipio was in command.
Military assessments
Three great errors Sempronius committed, of which every one deserved to be recompensed with the loss that followed. The first was, that he fought with Hannibal in a champain, being by far inferior in horse, and withal thereby subject to the African elephants, which in enclosed or uneven grounds, and woodlands, would have been of no use.
When was the Battle of Trebia?
The Battle of the Trebia is believed to have been fought on December 18, 218 BC during the early stages of the Second Punic War (218-201 BC). For the second time in less than fifty years, the competing interests of Carthage and Rome came into conflict and resulted in war. Following his capture of Saguntum in Iberia, ...
How many people died in the Battle of Trebia?
Sources indicate that Carthaginian losses were around 4,000-5,000, while the Romans may have suffered up to 32,000 killed, wounded, and captured. The victory at Trebia was Hannibal's first great triumph in Italy and would be followed by others at Lake Trasimene (217 BC) and Cannae (216 BC).
What river did Hannibal take advantage of?
A short time later, Hannibal descended on a larger Roman force along the Trebia River. Taking advantage of a rash Roman commander, he won a crushing victory.
What was Carthage's influence on the Iberian Peninsula?
Recovering from these reverses, Carthage commenced expanding its influence to the Iberian Peninsula which gave it access to a variety of resources. This expansion led to direct conflict with Rome over the Hellenized city of Saguntum which was aligned with the Italian nation. Following the assassination of pro-Carthage citizens in Saguntum, Carthaginian forces under Hannibal laid siege to the city in 219 BC.
Why was Hannibal recalled to Carthage?
Despite these stunning victories, Hannibal was never able to completely defeat Rome, and was ultimately recalled to Carthage to aid in protecting the city from a Roman army. In the resulting battle at Zama (202 BC), he was beaten and Carthage was forced to make peace. Cite this Article. Format.
Who was the leader of the Hannibal army?
Reaching Scipio's camp near the banks of the Trebia River, Sempronius assumed command of the combined force. A rash and impetuous leader, Sempronius began making plans to engage Hannibal in open battle before the more senior Scipio recovered and resumed command.
Who ordered the reinforcement of the Roman army?
Concerned by Scipio's defeat, the Romans ordered Consul Tiberius Sempronius Longus to reinforce the position at Placentia. Alerted to Sempronius' approach, Hannibal sought to destroy the second Roman army before it could unite with Scipio, but was unable to do so as his supply situation dictated that he assault Clastidium. Reaching Scipio's camp near the banks of the Trebia River, Sempronius assumed command of the combined force. A rash and impetuous leader, Sempronius began making plans to engage Hannibal in open battle before the more senior Scipio recovered and resumed command.
Where did Hannibal's troops go?
Hannibal in the meantime had his troops prepare themselves and have a proper breakfast while staying warm near the fires. Then he moved his army about a kilometer towards the approaching Romans.
Who outnumbered the Roman foot soldiers?
Numbers. Sempronius positioned his troops very orderly and that took a lot of time. His soldiers were wet and cold, but he relied on his superiority in numbers. In foot soldiers that is, the Carthaginian horse outnumbered the Roman's by far and they would make the difference.
What river runs down from a spring in the Apennines?
The Trebia #N#The river Trebia runs down from a spring in the Apennines and is fed by rain. Once in the Po plain it broadens and slows down. As visible on the picture (Google maps) it splits into several smaller streams in the same bed. This makes the river easy to be crossed there. Scipio had chosen position against the hills and Ti. Sempronius Longus who had been recalled from Sicily, built his camp near Scipio's. Hannibal took position on the west bank about 40 stades from Scipio's camp.
What is the first phase of Hannibal?
Phase I. Hannibal chooses his battle field. Hannibal scouted the terrain and chose a space that met his needs for a successful battle. He had his brother Mago choose a thousand foot and a thousand horse and showed him a place to hide the next morning and from where to attack the Romans in the back on his signal.
Who was the leader of the troops that Hannibal sent to convince them with force?
When Hannibal sent troops to convince them with force, Sempronius saw his chance and attacked Hannibal's troops, who withdraw to their camp. Sempronius claimed a victory and was eager to start the decisive battle.
Who attacked the Roman horse?
At that same moment the Carthaginian horse attacked the Roman horse. It didn't take long before the Roman horse was defeated and chased off. After that the Carthaginians turned to the Roman flanks.The Roman infantry was indeed much stronger than the Carthaginians and pushed them back.
Who built the camp near Scipio's?
Sempronius Longus who had been recalled from Sicily, built his camp near Scipio's. Hannibal took position on the west bank about 40 stades from Scipio's camp. Skirmishing. A lot of Kelts living in that area, were trying to play it safe, until it was clear which army was the strongest.
Where was the Battle of Cannae fought?
The Battle of Cannae ( / ˈkæni, - eɪ, - aɪ /) was a key engagement of the Second Punic War between the Roman Republic and Carthage, fought on 2 August 216 BC near the ancient village of Cannae in Apulia, southeast Italy. The Carthaginians and their allies, led by Hannibal, surrounded and practically annihilated a larger Roman ...
What was the name of the battle in the Byzantine Conquest of the Mezzogiorno?
Battle of Cannae. For the 11th century battle in the Byzantine conquest of the Mezzogiorno, see Battle of Cannae (1018). / 41.30639°N 16.13250°E / 41.30639; 16.13250. / 41.30639°N 16.13250°E / 41.30639; 16.13250. The Battle of Cannae ( / ˈkæni, - eɪ, - aɪ /) was a key engagement of the Second Punic War between the Roman Republic ...
How many people were in the Carthaginian army?
The Carthaginian army was a combination of warriors from numerous regions, and may have numbered between 40,000–50,000. Their infantry comprised an estimated 8,000 Libyans, 5,500 Gaetulian, 16,000 Gauls, mainly Boii and Insubres (8,000 were left at camp the day of battle) and 8,000 of several tribes of Hispania, including Iberians, Celtiberians and Lusitanians. Hannibal's cavalry also came from diverse backgrounds. He commanded 4,000 Numidian, 2,000 Iberian peninsular, 4,000 Gallic and 450 Libyan- Phoenician cavalry. Finally, Hannibal had an auxiliary skirmisher contingent consisting of 1,000–2,000 Balearic slingers and 6,000 mixed-nationality javelinmen, possibly including Lusitanians among them. The uniting factor for the Carthaginian army was the personal tie each group had with Hannibal.
How many troops were in Cannae?
Having recovered from their losses at Trebia (218 BC) and Lake Trasimene (217 BC), the Romans decided to engage Hannibal at Cannae, with approximately 86,000 Roman and allied troops.
What is the significance of the Battle of Cannae?
Eisenhower, the Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force in World War II, wrote, "Every ground commander seeks the battle of annihilation; so far as conditions permit, he tries to duplicate in modern war the classic example of Cannae". Furthermore, the totality of Hannibal's victory has made the name "Cannae" a byword for military success, and is studied in detail in military academies around the world. The notion that an entire army could be encircled and annihilated within a single stroke led to a fascination among Western generals for centuries (including Frederick the Great and Helmuth von Moltke ), who attempted to emulate its tactical paradigm of envelopment and re-create their own "Cannae". Delbrück's seminal study of the battle had a profound influence on German military theorists, in particular the Chief of the German General Staff, Alfred von Schlieffen, whose eponymous " Schlieffen Plan " was inspired by Hannibal's double envelopment maneuver. Schlieffen believed that the "Cannae model" would continue to be applicable in maneuver warfare throughout the 20th century:
How many Romans died in the Battle of Cannae?
Plutarch agreed, "50,000 Romans fell in that battle... 4,000 were taken alive". Quintilian: "60,000 men were slain by Hannibal at Cannae". Eutropius: "20 officers of consular and praetorian rank, 30 senators, and 300 others of noble descent, were taken or slain, as well as 40,000-foot-soldiers, and 3,500 horse".
What is the prelude of the Battle of Cannae?
Prelude. A modern monument near the site of the Battle of Cannae. In the spring of 216 BC Hannibal took the initiative and seized the large supply depot at Cannae, in the Apulian plain, placing himself between the Romans and their crucial source of supply.
