September 217 BC — the Second Punic War
Chapter II · Italy invaded — Italy invaded — the Po valley rises for Hannibal.
This month
- The oxen of the Ager Falernus — Boxed into the Falernian plain by Fabius, Hannibal drives two thousand oxen with burning faggots on their horns up the hills at night; the pass-guards chase the lights and the army walks out with its plunder. (Polybius 3.92–94; Livy 22.16–17)
- Peace of Naupactus — "The clouds rising in the west" — Agelaus warns the Greeks of Rome and Carthage, and the Social War ends. (Polybius 5.103–105)
Where the commanders stand
- Philip V of Macedon: In Pella · king of macedon
- Q. Fabius Maximus: Encamped at the Callicula pass · since Autumn 217 BC
- Hannibal Barca: Encamped at Trap in the Ager Falernus · since Autumn 217 BC
- Publius & Gnaeus Scipio: Encamped at the brothers united · since Autumn 217 BC