Second Punic War Battles > Battle of Herdonia (210 BC)

Battle of Herdonia (210 BC)

Background

The Battle of Herdonia, also known as the Battle of the Aufidus, took place in 210 BC during the Second Punic War. It was fought between the forces of Rome, led by the Roman consul Gnaeus Fulvius Centumalus Maximus, and the Carthaginian army under the command of Hannibal's general, Maharbal. Following his victories in Italy, Hannibal sought to maintain pressure on Rome by engaging Roman forces in various parts of the peninsula. In 211 BC, he had captured the city of Herdonia (modern-day Ordona) in Apulia. In 210 BC, the Romans, under the leadership of Gnaeus Fulvius Centumalus Maximus, launched a campaign to retake Herdonia and drive the Carthaginians out of the region.

Gnaeus Fulvius Centumalus Maximus led the Roman army to besiege Herdonia, deploying his forces around the city and preparing for a direct assault on the Carthaginian garrison. Maharbal, the Carthaginian commander tasked with defending Herdonia, organized his troops and fortified the city's defenses, preparing to repel the Roman attack.

Battle:

The battle began with a Roman assault on the city of Herdonia, as the Roman legions sought to breach the Carthaginian defenses and capture the city from Maharbal's forces. The fighting was intense, with both sides engaging in fierce hand-to-hand combat within the city streets. The Carthaginian defenders, despite being outnumbered, put up a determined resistance against the Roman onslaught. As the battle raged on, Maharbal ordered a counterattack against the Roman forces, catching them off guard and inflicting heavy casualties on the Roman legions.

Outcome:

The Battle of Herdonia ended in a decisive victory for the Carthaginians. The Roman army suffered significant losses, including the death of Gnaeus Fulvius Centumalus Maximus, and was forced to retreat from the city. The Carthaginians successfully defended Herdonia, maintaining their hold on the strategic location in Apulia and preventing the Romans from achieving their objective of retaking the city.

The Battle of Herdonia was a setback for the Romans in their campaign against Hannibal in Italy. It highlighted the resilience and fighting prowess of the Carthaginian forces, even when outnumbered and facing a determined enemy. The Roman defeat at Herdonia underscored the challenges faced by the Romans in their efforts to defeat Hannibal and regain control over the Italian peninsula.

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