June 208 BC — the Second Punic War
Chapter V · The tide turns — The tide turns.
This month
- Ambush of the consuls — Both consuls ride out to reconnoitre a wooded hill between the camps with a small escort; Numidians hidden there kill Marcellus and mortally wound Crispinus. (Livy 27.26–27)
- Marcellus killed near Venusia — Five times consul, the Sword of Rome dies in a cavalry ambush on a reconnaissance. Hannibal buries him with honours and sends the ashes to his son — or tries to. (Livy 27.27; Plutarch, Marcellus 29–30)
Where the commanders stand
- Philip V of Macedon: Operating in the region of Demetrias and central Greece · 2nd month
- Syphax: In Siga · king of the masaesyli
- Masinissa: Operating in the region of the Punic armies in Spain · 4th 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 Death of Marcellus · 1st month
- Publius Cornelius Scipio: Operating in the region of Baecula · 2nd month
- Hasdrubal Barca: Encamped at Slipping the net · since Spring 208 BC
- M. Claudius Marcellus: Encamped at the hill between Venusia and Bantia · since Summer 208 BC
- Publius & Gnaeus Scipio: fell here, June 211 BC