Hannibal on the Run

Carthage are losing momentum: Hannibal trapped in Bruttium.
   Marcellus had a successful campaign in Sicily and captured Syracuse from Epicydes and then Agrigentum. Sicily resumed its place as grain producer for the Roman army. Many Sicilian pirates were relocated to Bruttium and Rhegium to assist the Roman naval effort. Muttines was often trying to reap the rewards for other people's hard work.
   Scipio and Laelius captured New Carthage after a bloody battle at the outer walls. Several Roman attempts. After a tip-off from local fishermen, 500 Romans waded across the harbour at low tide and simply walked into the city. No-one was defending the walls. A surprise tactic. The Carthaginians tried to play down losing New Carthage, but they knew it was a huge blow losing a good strategic port and treasury. Many merchant ships and 'scorpion' weapons were captured. After securing Spain, a Celtiberian chief's beautiful daughter was in love with a Roman centurion who fought exceptionally well. He wanted to marry her, so his wish was granted by Scipio. The gratified girl's parents insisted on sending gold to Scipio, he reluctantly accepted the gift and decided to pass on the gold to the lucky centurian as a wedding present. A beautiful wife and gold - he didn't do too bad! Many Carthagininan captives were sent to Rome together with Numidian and Spanish prisoners. Mago and the two Hasdrubals were still at large and more legions were being sent to Spain to deal with the situation.
   Manlius did consistently well in fending off attacks in Sardinia. Historians seemed to neglect Sardinia a bit so Manlius was obviously doing a decent job out there, keeping the Carthaginians at bay.
   Fulvius took the Greek colony of Tarentum. Marcellus took Apulia. His first battle in Apulia against Hannibal was an embarrassing rout, where the troops gave up early and ran away from the enemy like chickens. Marcellus was furious and reprimanded his soldiers severely. At the rematch Marcellus rekindled their courage and the Romans beat the Carthaginians hands down, even turning Hannibal's elephants against him - they panicked and trampled the enemy as they were prone to do so on occasion. Marcellus fought in the van - leading by example. Carthalo surrendered but a Roman soldier failed to recognize the bloke and he was brought down with a spear. Democrates was a player.
   Capua was now well and truly back in Roman hands. Capua had lost most of its privileges because of a pronounced allegiance with Carthage. Treacherous Senators of Capua had committed suicide by drinking poison, which had actually taken a few days to kill them as they had drunk alcohol which slowed down the effects. Such was the Campanian anti-Roman stance. Hannibal was trying all his tricks and traps but the Roman leaders were growing ever wiser to his dirty surprise tactics.
   The Romans also took careful notice of particular omens that by coincidence often served them well. If someone reported seeing a talking ox, it was to be believed very seriously. Several rivers flowed with blood ( maybe down to a reflection of the sunset or maybe red soil discharged or even an injured animal ) and it rained stones ( hailstones probably). Statues moved and vultures landed on sacred places. A pig was born with a man's head and a kid was born with an elephant's head. (Elephaniasis?) Another child was born a hermaphrodite and another was born the size of the four year old. The baby was put in a box, and still alive, was thrown over the cliffs into the sea - to appease the gods and rid the Romans of a bad omen. Some omens were laughable by today's standards but in those days nothing was ignored. They generally believed lightning was caused by the gods. There were special 'strewing' couches to sit on to pray to the gods in these circumstances. Sometimes there was still time to conduct the Plebeian Games and posher Roman Games which always drew a crowd and was a good source of revenue. New taxes were imposed on recaptured provinces to assist the Roman effort. Some city leaders said they had no men or money left and this lead them into trouble with the government.
   Sometimes annual elections for the Roman Senate took place during the midst of important campaigns, such as when Marcellus had Hannibal on the run. It was a tricky decision having to recall consuls and commanders from the heat of battle. A dictator was often elected instead. Laevinus was also a Roman commander of note. Turditanus and Crassus too. Decimius was successful. Maximus was appointed a dictator. Hannibal often burnt the surrounding countryside in spite, if he was unable to capture a city. Romans started raids on Africa.
   Hannibal was still using tricks to fool the Romans, he hid in a woodland on a hill and ambushed them when Marcellus and Crispinus went to investigate with a cavalry. Marcellus was killed by a spear during this reconnoitre. Hannibal later stole Marcellus's signet ring, after he'd conducted a burial, he used it to send false letters to the Romans. The Romans sent heralds to other contingents to warn them not to be deceived by letters from Marcellus, as he'd been killed in Bruttium. Crispinus also died later from very severe wounds.