BATTLE OF METAURUS

New Zealand Listener, Volume 3, Issue 63, 6 September 1940, Page 8

BATTLE OF METAURUS

(207 B.C.):. Now the European nations were finding their feet. Rome raised herself to an eminence from which she looked jeal--ously across the Mediterranean to Carthage. With the death of Alexander the power of the Macedonian Greeks lost itself in the magnitude of the country over which his surviving generals were

left to rule. The forward drive of Europe centred itself about the Western Mediterranean. By 207 B.C. the rivalry between Rome and Carthage came to a head. Weakened by many defeats, Carthage still contrived to rally herself for a final effort. Hasdrubal, brother to Hannibal, led his army through Spain, across the base of France, and over the Alps into Italy itself. He followed the route made by Hannibal eleven years before, Hannibal was ensconced in Italy. In the south, he had detached Rome’s allies, and waited for his chance with a reduced, but veteran force. Hasdrubal might have done the same in the north, but Rome, with her back to the wall, with nearly all her able-bodied citizens in her army, with her last resources assembled for a desperate attempt to win through, did not give him time. Armies were sent to meet Hasdrubal. The Consul Nero stayed south to watch Hannibal. Hasdrubal was successful. The northern armies of Rome fell back before him. But a detachment of Nero’s troops intercepted a letter from Hasdrubal to Hannibal, outlining his plan of campaign, and Nero acted upon this knowledge. He kept his northward march a close secret, and the reinforced armies attacked without warning, Hannibal was presented with the head of his brother, chopped off after the battle by the river called the Metauro, and MHannibal’s downfall was assured. Rome now had no rival. Even far-away England heard about her strength,