This Day on the Battlefield: Ticinus

OK so well, it might not really be "this day" because no known exact date is given for this battle. All we know is that it took place in November of 218 B.C. This was the first open engagement of the 2nd Punic War, which would rage across the Mediterranean for the next twenty years. Opposed to each other were the forces of the Roman Consul Scipio the Elder (the father of the soon-to-be Scipio Africanus) and the famous Hannibal Barca, who was about to give the Romans their first lesson in the combined arms tactics that he so excelled at.

The Campaign:

Hannibal's famous crossing of the Alps took place earlier in the month. Bringing his army across the treacherous mountains, in November, complete with horses and elephants, is rightly considered one of the greatest logistical triumphs in military history, and has been celebrated ever since. Hannibal did lose a large portion of his army in the process of crossing the imposing mountains, but he did succeed in getting the bulk of his fighting force into Italy, right in Rome's backyard.

Low on supplies from the crossing, Hannibal was forced to survive on the means he could, and needed to contend with the Gallic tribes in the north of Italy. After leveling a settlement of the Taurini, he was able to secure the allegiance of the other Gauls in the area.

This caught the attention of the Romans and Scipio set out to engage him, taking a reconnaissance party.

Disposition of the Forces:

This was not a full-out engagement between two entire armies, but is more in line with a relatively light skirmish. Hannibal's force consisted entirely of cavalry, while Scipio's consisted of cavalry and light skirmishing infantry known as Velites.

Velites were usually around 16-20 years of age and were not full members of the Roman legion that engaged in combat with sword and shield, but threw javelins at the enemy and then retreated behind the main line of heavy infantry.

Part of Hannibal's cavalry force consisted partially of the famous Numidian cavalry- swift, skilled riders on light horses. This cavalry force was vastly superior to the Romans' own cavalry, and would prove crucial time and again in Hannibal's major battlefield victories. These were formed on the flanks of his army while his other cavalry formed the center.

A sketch of the Numidian Cavalry

The Battle:

The outcome was pretty simple. Hannibal ordered a charge along his cavalry line, neutralizing the Velites. A general cavalry engagement then followed, during which the Roman cavalry got outflanked by the fast-riding Numidians.

The Romans retreated, and the only real notable action their side performed that day was the Consul's son- the future Scipio Africanus, saving his father's life during the battle.

Aftermath:

Since the battle was little more than a scouting engagement, it did not have a major impact on the war- but it did signify that Hannibal had arrived, and showcased the effectiveness of his cavalry. This is something the Romans would underestimate to their own peril.

See Also:

Livy's account of the battle.
Polybius' account of the battle. Battle of Ticinus 218 B.C. 2nd Punic War Hannibal