May 208 BC — the Second Punic War
Chapter V · The tide turns — The tide turns.
This month
- Battle of Baecula — Scipio storms Hasdrubal’s hill position from both flanks; Hasdrubal saves his treasury and elephants and takes the road north — for Italy. Masinissa’s nephew is sent home a guest, not a prisoner. (Polybius 10.38–39; Livy 27.18–19)
Where the commanders stand
- Philip V of Macedon: Operating in the region of Demetrias and central Greece · 1st month
- Syphax: In Siga · king of the masaesyli
- Masinissa: Operating in the region of the Punic armies in Spain · 3rd year
- Hasdrubal son of Gisco: Operating in the region of the Tagus mouth, Lusitania · 3rd year
- Mago Barca: Operating in the region of Gades · 3rd year
- C. Claudius Nero: In Rome · since Summer 209 BC
- Q. Fabius Maximus: In Rome · princeps senatus
- Hannibal Barca: Operating in the region of Tarentum lost · 12th month
- Publius Cornelius Scipio: Operating in the region of Baecula · 1st month
- Hasdrubal Barca: Encamped at Slipping the net · since Spring 208 BC
- M. Claudius Marcellus: Encamped at Venusia · since Spring 208 BC
- Publius & Gnaeus Scipio: fell here, June 211 BC