Following C. Claudius Nero — the Second Punic War

C. Claudius Nero (fl. 214 – 204 BC), Rome. Legate at Capua, propraetor in Spain, consul in 207: the man who read Hasdrubal’s intercepted letter, marched seven thousand men four hundred kilometres in seven days, won the Metaurus and marched back.

Praetor; Propraetor in Spain; Consul.

Censor in 204 with his old colleague Livius; the two spent the censorship quarrelling.

The itinerary — 14 stops, Spring 214 BC to Autumn 207 BC

  1. Castra Claudiana above Suessula — Spring 214 BC: Praetor with a legion in the Campanian camp. (Livy 24.17)
  2. The lines before Capua — Spring 212 BC: One of the three commanders of the circumvallation. (Livy 25.22; 26.5)
  3. Rome — Summer 211 BC: Given the Spanish command after the Scipios’ deaths. (Livy 26.17)
  4. Tarraco — Autumn 211 BC: Corners Hasdrubal at the Black Stones and is talked out of it. (Livy 26.17–20)
  5. Rome — Autumn 210 BC (Livy 26.20; 27.7)
  6. Canusium — Spring 209 BC: Commands the cavalry on Marcellus’ third day at Canusium. (Livy 27.14)
  7. Rome — Summer 209 BC: Elected consul for 207 with the enemy he must share a camp with, Livius Salinator. (Livy 27.34–35)
  8. Venusia — Spring 207 BC: Takes over the army facing Hannibal. (Livy 27.40)
  9. Grumentum — Spring 207 BC: A battle at Grumentum; Hannibal slips away by night. (Livy 27.41–42)
  10. Canusium — Summer 207 BC: Hasdrubal’s couriers are caught near Tarentum; the letter is read in Nero’s camp. (Livy 27.42–43)
  11. Sena Gallica — Summer 207 BC: The march: seven thousand picked men, seven days, fed by the towns along the road; into Livius’ camp by night so no tent is added. (Livy 27.43–46)
  12. The Metaurus — Summer 207 BC: Leads the right, finds it useless against the hill, marches it behind the whole line and falls on Hasdrubal’s flank. (Livy 27.47–49; Polybius 11.1–3)
  13. Canusium — Summer 207 BC: Back in six days; Hasdrubal’s head thrown before Hannibal’s outposts. (Livy 27.51)
  14. Rome — Summer 207 BC: Livius triumphs in a chariot; Nero follows on horseback, and the crowd looks at him. (Livy 28.9)

Battles fought

  • Battle of Grumentum — Spring 207 BC — victory
  • Battle of the Metaurus — Summer 207 BC — victory