March 209 BC — the Second Punic War
Chapter V · The tide turns — The tide turns.
This month
- New Carthage falls in a day — Scipio’s five hundred wade the lagoon at the ebb, told that Neptune has promised it, and climb the unguarded northern wall. Carthage’s Spanish capital, its treasury, its hostages and its shipyards change hands in one day. (Polybius 10.9–19; Livy 26.42–47)
- Twelve colonies refuse — eighteen stand firm — Exhausted by the levies, twelve Latin colonies tell the consuls they have no more men or money to give; eighteen answer that they will give whatever Rome asks. (Livy 27.9–10)
Where the commanders stand
- Philip V of Macedon: In Pella · king of macedon
- Syphax: In Siga · king of the masaesyli
- Masinissa: Operating in the region of the Punic armies in Spain · 2nd year
- Hasdrubal son of Gisco: Operating in the region of the Tagus mouth, Lusitania · 2nd year
- Mago Barca: Operating in the region of Gades · 2nd year
- C. Claudius Nero: In Rome · since Autumn 210 BC
- Q. Fabius Maximus: In Rome · princeps senatus
- Hannibal Barca: Operating in the region of Numistro · 9th month
- Publius Cornelius Scipio: Operating in the region of New Carthage in a day · 1st month
- M. Claudius Marcellus: Winter quarters at Venusia · 210/09
- Publius & Gnaeus Scipio: fell here, June 211 BC