When Hannibal’s brother, Hasdrubal, led a second army over The Alps and into Italy in 207, Rome was in a panic. Many Romans recalling the disasters of the first invasion only 11 years earlier, must have speculated that Rome could not survive another series of losses like Trebia, Lake Tresimene, and Cannæ. This would certainly destroy them.

Two consular armies were detailed to stop Hasdrubal. One commanded by the consul, Gaius Terentius Varro was sent to the northwest and another commanded by the consul, Marcus Livius Salinator, was sent northeast in order that whichever route Hasdrubal chose to take south, he would immediately be blocked. They were to be aided by 2 legions already in the north under the command of the prætor, Lucius Porcius Licinius.

In the south of Italy, another prætor, Caius Claudius Nero commanded the legions seeking to contain Hannibal. We know nothing of Nero’s background other than the fact that his name indicates that he was patrician of the Claudian gens which goes back to the 6th century in Rome and that he had commanded a legion during the siege of Capua in 212. though he is a marginal character in The Second Punic War, his contribution is innovative, dashing, and of great importance.

Hasdrubal, seeking to coordinate a meeting with his brother’s forces, sent 6 messengers south by 6 different routes to reach Hannibal. 4 were caught at Terentum and their messages revealed that Hasdrubal would move into Umbria where he hoped Hannibal would meet him. Nero received this news at his camp at Canusium, a few miles southwest of Cannæ and, in what seems to be a typical move, decided to take 1000 cavalry men and 6000 infantry men and speed north to aid Salinator’s army. Nero didn’t just rush off like a brash young warrior; he planned his logistics so well that at pre arranged locations all along his route the towns would have supplies ready and waiting for his men. With his force unburdened by supplies, he made the 250 mile journey in record breaking time and joined the armies of Salinator and Licinius encamped half a mile from Hasdrubal.

Nero even planned his arrival in advance. He sent a message to Salinator and arranged for the 7000 troops to be covertly brought into camp under cover of darkness so that Hasdrubal would not know about them. In order to make the deception effective, The Romans would have to attack before Hasdrubal discovered the increased number of troops opposing him. They attacked the next morning.

When the 2 armies faced each other in battle order, Hasdrubal discovered the increased number of troops opposing him and refused battle. It was then the custom for a Roman army not to attack until their adversary advanced and the result was a stand off which lasted until dark.

When night fell, Hasdrubal attempted to retreat in secret along the banks of The Metaursus River. The Romans, at once, began to pursue them. It was Nero who led the pursuit with the cavalry of all 3 Roman armies. This fact well illustrates the confidence placed in the patrician prætor by those who were technically his superiors.

Nero caught up with The Carthaginians just as Hasdrubal was building a camp to rest his men. As The Romans arrived, they hurriedly formed battle lines facing the enemy and The Carthaginians turned to confront them. Thus began The Battle Of Metaursus on the 22nd day of June in the year 207.

The hilly terrain caused a somewhat unusual deployment. Hasdrubal’s center and left were required to be formed in narrow and deep rectangles by the confining hills. His center was fronted by his elephants and behind them was The Ligurian Infantry. The best of his troops, The Spanish, were deployed to the right and The Gauls to the left on higher ground in a position more defensive than offensive.

The Romans faced The Carthaginians with Nero in command of the right with his troops and probably the allied horse. The consul, Salinator, took the left and the prætor, Licinius, the center. Nero faced The Gauls up on their hill, Licinius, the elephants and The Ligurians behind them, and Salinator faced The Spaniards. The elephants charged first.

The function of elephants in ancient warfare was to spread terror and confusion in the lines. Having achieved this, Hasdrubal’s elephants panicked and ran amok, spreading havoc on both sides. the center broke down into individual hand to hand combat and Nero was unable to take the hill occupied by The Gauls. It was now that Nero made the bold decision which would make him the hero of Rome, gain him an ovation, and ultimately a consulship.

Unable to move foreword, he moved back as if retreating. He sped behind the Roman army, turned, and circled around his own army from the back. Past Salinator’s cavalry, past the Carthaginian lines, and past The Spaniards . He then wheeled and attacked The Spaniards from behind. Commanding the right, he had outflanked the enemy on the left. This is one of the most brilliant maneuvers in military history and forever to the credit of Gaius Claudius Nero.

With Nero attacking The Spaniards from behind, Salinator need only advance and close the trap on Hasdrubal’s right. His center was in disarray, his left was out of combat, The Battle was over. 10,000 soldiers of The Carthaginian Army lie dead on the field, among them Hasdrubal Bacar, the brother of Hannibal.

Livy tells us that Nero immediately force marched his men back to rejoin his main force in Apulia. He made the 250 mile journey in 6 days and was back at his post before Hannibal could take advantage of his absence. He was, at once, the hero of Rome.

A triumph was granted to Salinator. He was, after all, of consular rank. Nero was granted an ovation and rode behind Salinator in the procession. To the people of Rome, Nero was the center of attention and from them he received the greatest applause. He was elected consul 3 years later.

History records no further battles of Caius Claudius Nero. Metaurus was quite enough.