Battle of the Ebro 217 BC Hannibal (Part 5) - Second Punic War

Early in 217 BC, the Roman Senate is still reeling from the defeat at Trebia.

 But, determined to strike back at Hannibal, they look to other theatres to try and shift the balance of war.

 The Roman army that was initially sent to stop the Carthaginian general from reaching Italy is now in Iberia with new objectives, under the command of Gnaeus Scipio… After first arriving in Iberia, in early autumn of 218 BC, Gnaeus Cornelius Scipio Calvus defeated and captured Hanno, along with thousands of Carthaginian troops.

 He also seized the rich baggage train that Hannibal left behind when he marched into the Pyrenese mountains, while on his way to Italy.

 But despite this victory, Gnaeus lost many of his ship crews during Hasdrubal Barca’s raid into the Roman enclave, which crippled his fleet.

 Luckily for the Romans, Hasdrubal was outnumbered 2:1 and he retreated soon after this minor victory, as he could not mount a full scale offensive.

 Both generals use the winter months to regroup and plan for the coming year.

 The Roman general’s main objective is to prevent Iberian reinforcements from reaching Hannibal by land.

 His second objective is to put pressure on Carthaginian holdings in Iberia by any means.

 From his base at Tarraco, Gnaeus spends months consolidating his position.

 He reaches out to various tribes to establish friendly relations through diplomacy and trade, and looks to broker alliances by offering the tribes protection against the Carthaginians.

 It doesn’t take too long to persuade many locals to join the Roman cause, because just as most Gauls in Italy hate the Romans, so too the tribes of northern Iberia despise the Carthaginians.

 And although many communities are still apprehansive about confronting Carthage, especially those on the border, tribes further north of the Ebro eagerly ally themselves to Rome.

 Gnaeus also strenghtens ties with the Greek cities, especially Massilia, a very prosperous city that commits to sending her experienced fleet to help the Romans.

 And as promised, Gnaeus detaches garrisons to defend his allies over the coming months.

 He also garrisons the Ebro river, anticipating an invasion by Hasdrubal Barca in the spring, and arranges the purchase of food and supplies from the locals.

 In addition he distributes the plunder taken from Hannibal’s baggage train to his army, which boosts his popularity with the troops.

 Across the Ebro, Hasdrubal Barca posts garrisons along the river to ward off Roman raids and marches back to his winter quarters in New Carthage.

 Hasdrubal currently has 15,000 troops at his disposal.

 But, the manpower reserves and the riches of Carthaginian Iberia, give Hasdrubal enough muscle to quickly respond to the Roman threat.

 He spends the winter months resting his army, raising funds for new recruits and stockpiling provisions for the upcoming campaign.

 Ships are repaired and additional ships are brought in, along with new ship crews, recruited mainly from the Turdetani tribes in southern Iberia.

 By spring of 217BC Hasdrubal musters a large enough army to mount an offensive against Gnaeus.

 Carthaginians march out of New Carthage.

 Hasdrubal personally leads the ground forces, while he puts the fleet of 40 ships under the command of Himilco.

 The fleet sails along the coast, closely keeping pace with the army on land, under whos protection the crews can beach their ships every night to rest.

 While Hasdrubal initially had 15,000 troops after Hannibal departed from Iberia, it is unknown how many new troops he recruited for the campaign of 217 BC.

 But, considering that Gnaeus received reports from his scouts of the approaching Carthaginians, and yet didn’t follow his first instinct to face them in battle, it is safe to assume that the size of Hasdrubal’s army was exceedingly strong, which dissuaded the Roman general from giving battle.

 Furthermore, Hasdrubal could potentially tap into his vast manpower pool, while Gnaeus won’t be receiving any reinforcements for at least a year, another reason for the Roman general to remain cautious.

 Gnaeus decides to march out of Tarraco and take up a defensive position on the Ebro, with his ships following closeby.

 Aware that the Carthaginian fleet can flank him and cut his supply lines, he hand-picks his best troops from the legions and loads them into 35 ships, some of which came from Massilia with their experienced and reputable crews.

 With his fleet guarding his flank, the Roman general reaches within 15km of the Ebro.

 Gnaeus’ plan is to concentrate his efforts on the sea.

 He temporarily stops and sends two Massilian ships to scout ahead.

 With his army vastly outnumbered, he recognizes that if Hasdrubal successfully surrounds or besieges his position, the superior Carthaginian fleet could cut off Roman seaborne supply lines.

 Therefore his plan is to deal a knock out blow or at least cripple the Carthaginian fleet.

 Massilian scouts soon return with reports that the Carthaginians are encamped at the mouth of the Ebro, their ships still beached and unmanned since the night before.

 Looking to seize the fortunate opportunity, Gnaeus gives his ships the signal to attack immediately, hoping to catch the enemy off guard.

 They make haste towards the Ebro, formed in two lines.

 The higher quality Massilian ships are in the front, their crews leading the way, while the Roman ships are formed up behind them.

 However, Carthaginian scouts along the coast spot the enemy fleet and sound the alarm.

 Hasdrubal draws up his land forces on the beach and orders Himilco to embark his crews and put to sea straight away.

 The Carthaginians, although caught by surprise, have confidence in their ships.

 Hasdrubal’s troops cheer on the crews as they close the distance to meet the Romans.

 Two Massilian ships are intercepted.

 Himilco’s men rush to board the enemy vessels.

 On the right flank, Carthaginian ships double up on the Romans.

 As they board the enemy, Himilco’s crews begin overwhelming the Massilians and Romans on the right.

 Meanwhile, chaotic fighting spreads in the centre as the Romans latch onto several enemy vessels.

 Gnaeus’ men are firmly on the back foot and losing ground.

 The Carthaginians outpaced and outmaneuvered his fleet.

 But, the battle-hardened Roman troops in the centre hold their ground.

 Disciplined and organized, they slowly manage to turn the tide by sheer brute force.

 The legionaries begin pushing the Carthaginians back.

 In the chaotic fighting they manage to sink one Carthaginian ship, together with its’ entire crew.

 Then another.

 Some of Himilco’s men begin to waver.

 Four more ships in the center are crippled and left adrift with their oars shattered.

 Seeing the gaping hole in their line, panic among some of Himilco’s crews turns into a hasty disorganized retreat toward the shore.

 Hasdrubal can only watch as the Romans vigorously pursuit his fleet.

 His troops can do little to help the retreating ships.

 Ironically, having his army deployed on the beach offered a clear and safe escape route for the ships, which may have motivated some of the crews to flee, rather than fight and risk death.

 This would certainly explain the sudden collapse of morale amongst Himilco’s men.

 The Carthaginian fleet finally reaches the shore.

 Crews beach their ships and hastily disembark, abandoning their vessels in search for safety within Hasdrubal’s army.

 But the Romans aren’t done yet.

 They boldly continue towards the shore, despite the risk of running their ships aground or being attacked by Hasdrubal’s troops.

 To the average observer it must’ve seemed like madness to come so close to the shore.

 But Gnaeus is willing to take the risk!

 His ships rush in, quicky latching onto Carthaginian vessels that are still seaworthy, and begin towing them away.

 Seeming stunned, the Carthaginians fail to react in time.

 By the time they realise what has happened, the Romans sail downstream, having captured TWENTY FIVE of their ships.

 At first, the defeat at the Ebro seemingly changed little.

 Over the coming months Hasdrubal, with his army intact, puts pressure on the tribes to rise against Rome, stretching Gnaeus to the limit.

 But the Carthaginian general is also forced to deal with revolts in southern Iberia.

 Both sides spend over a year quelling revolts and regrouping.

 For the Romans, after a series of defeats suffered against Hannibal in Italy, news of Gnaeus' success is much welcomed by the Senate.

 Encouraged, they make plans to send reinforcements to Iberia under the command of Gnaeus' brother Publius, who's term as consul ended a few months ago.

 Fully recovered from his wounds, within a year Publius would arrive with 20-30 ships and 8,000 troops, along with food and supplies.

 However, it is Gnaeus’ perserverence at the Ebro that would prove to be the turning point of the war in Iberia.

 For the next 10 years the Carthaginian Iberian coast would be undefended.

 Exposed to Roman raids, Carthage will have to divert a lot of manpower to defend its’ Iberian towns and countryside.

 And over the coming years, Scripio brothers will pose a serious threat to the Carthaginian war effort.