Trebia
The Trebia River, located in northern Italy, is a notable southern tributary of the Po River, merging about four miles west of Piacenza. Historically significant, the Trebia is best known for being the site of a major battle during the Second Punic War in 218 BC, where the Carthaginian general Hannibal achieved a decisive victory against Roman forces led by Consul Publius Cornelius Scipio. The battle unfolded after Scipio retreated to a position near the Trebia following an earlier engagement, and upon rejoining with fellow consul Tiberius Sempronius Longus, the Romans attempted to confront Hannibal. However, Hannibal's strategic maneuvers, including ambush tactics, led to a catastrophic defeat for the Roman army, with many soldiers perishing in the river during the retreat. This victory not only showcased Hannibal's military genius but also allowed him to campaign freely in Etruria, significantly impacting the course of the war. The Trebia River thus stands as a landmark of military history and strategy in ancient Rome.
Subject Terms
Trebia
(Trebbia), River, in Cisalpine Gaul (north Italy)
A southern tributary of the Padus (Po), which it joins four miles west of Placentia (Piacenza). The Trebia was the scene of a victory won by Hannibal over the Romans in the first year of the Second Punic War (218 BC). The consul Publius Cornelius Scipio (father of the famous Africanus) had advanced across the Ticinus (Ticino), a northern Po tributary, but after a cavalry reverse withdrew south of the Po to a point west of Placentia, not far from the Trebia. There the Carthaginians moved to within a short distance of Scipio's army; but the Roman general, deserted by 2000 Gallic auxiliaries, retreated east of the Trebia, where he was joined by his fellow consul Tiberius Sempronius Longus. Encouraged by their new united strength and by a successful cavalry skirmish, the Romans returned across the Trebia, but Hannibal's outflanking tactics, combined with an ambush, resulted in their total defeat. Most of their soldiers met their death in the river, but 10,000 in the front ranks of the center broke through to Placentia, where they were joined by the cavalry. However, Hannibal was now free to ravage Etruria as he pleased.