August 215 BC — the Second Punic War
Chapter III · After Cannae — After Cannae — the great defection of the south.
This month
- Second Battle of Nola — Hannibal returns for Nola and Marcellus again refuses him the city, sallying at the right moment; the Carthaginian withdraws toward Apulia for the winter. (Livy 23.44–46)
- Locri joins Carthage — Hamilcar’s cavalry reaches Locri before the Roman fleet; the city makes terms and lets the Romans inside walk out to Rhegium. Bruttium follows. (Livy 24.1)
- Petelia falls after eleven months — The loyal Bruttian town starves on leather and bark before it yields; Rome, asked for help, had told it to look to itself. (Livy 23.20; 23.30)
Where the commanders stand
- Philip V of Macedon: In Pella · king of macedon
- Mago Barca: Encamped at Iliturgi · since Summer 215 BC
- Q. Fabius Maximus: Operating in the region of Cales · 5th month
- Hannibal Barca: Operating in the region of Repulse at Nola · 3rd month
- M. Claudius Marcellus: Encamped at Nola · since Summer 215 BC
- Publius & Gnaeus Scipio: Operating in the region of Dertosa — the unsung salvation · 5th month