Second Punic War Battles > Battle of Numistro

Battle of Numistro

Background

The Battle of Numistro, also known as the Battle of the Caudine Forks, occurred in 210 BC during the Second Punic War between the forces of Rome and Carthage. Here's a detailed overview:Background:As part of his campaign in southern Italy, Hannibal Barca sought to secure alliances and disrupt Roman supply lines by controlling key strategic points.In 210 BC, Hannibal's forces clashed with a Roman army commanded by the consul Marcus Claudius Marcellus near the town of Numistro.Deployment:Hannibal's army, consisting mainly of infantry, cavalry, and a contingent of war elephants, was positioned strategically to take advantage of the terrain.The Roman army, led by Marcellus, deployed in a traditional formation with infantry in the center and cavalry on the flanks. They aimed to engage Hannibal's forces in open combat.Battle:The battle began with both sides maneuvering for advantageous positions. Hannibal's cavalry harassed the Roman flanks, while his infantry held the center.Marcellus, recognizing the threat posed by Hannibal's elephants, ordered his troops to maintain discipline and cohesion in the face of the charging beasts.Despite their initial success in repelling the Carthaginian attacks, the Roman infantry became disorganized and vulnerable to Hannibal's counterattacks.Hannibal's elephants, though formidable, were eventually neutralized by Roman javelin throwers and archers, who targeted the animals' sensitive areas, causing them to panic and stampede.

Outcome:

The battle ended in a stalemate, with neither side achieving a decisive victory. Both armies suffered significant casualties, but neither was able to gain a clear advantage. Marcellus, recognizing the precariousness of his position, withdrew his forces to more defensible positions, effectively conceding the battlefield to Hannibal. Despite the inconclusive outcome, the Battle of Numistro allowed Hannibal to maintain pressure on the Roman forces in southern Italy and further disrupt their supply lines.

The Battle of Numistro demonstrated the tactical prowess of both commanders, as well as the resilience and discipline of their respective armies. While the battle did not alter the overall course of the war, it served as a reminder of the fierce and protracted nature of the conflict between Rome and Carthage. The engagement highlighted the challenges faced by both sides in adapting to the tactics and strategies employed by their adversaries, as well as the importance of terrain and battlefield conditions in determining the outcome of engagements.

Battle

According to Livy, the fight started early in the morning. Marcellus put his "I Legion" and "Right Alae Sociorum" in the front line.[4] During the combat both units were relieved by the "III Legion" and "Left Alae". Punic forces described by Livy included balearic slingers and Spanish infantry, as well as elephants. The battle lasted one day but after a hard fight the result was inconclusive, since it ended due to nightfall, with Hannibal retreating to Apulia the next day. Marcellus left his injured soldiers at the town to recover and followed Hannibal to hunt him in that territory, having minor engagements until the end of that year's campaign. Frontinus tells that the battle was won by Hannibal thanks to the surrounding terrain.

Both generals met again in battle the following year in Canusium. Numistro and Canusium were probably separated in time by no more than six months, as the former happened during the last period of the 210 B.C. consulship while the latter was in the early months of 209 B.C.

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Bibliography

Livy "Ab Urbe Condita" XXVII,2

Frontinus "Stratagems" II,II,6

Plutarch “Life of Marcellus”, 24

Titus Livius, Ab Urbe Condita, XXVI,38,23

Titus Livius, Ab Urbe Condita, XXVII,1,5

Titus Livius, Ab Urbe Condita, XXVII,2,5

Titus Livius, Ab Urbe Condita, XXVII,2,8

Titus Livius, Ab Urbe Condita, XXVII,2,12

Frontinus, Stratagems, II,2,6