Battle of Herdonia (212 BC)

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Second Punic War
Sarguntum – Lilybaeum – Ticinus – Trebia – Cissa - Lake Trasimene – Ebro River – Cannae – 1st Nola – Dertosa – 2nd Nola – Cornus - 3rd Nola – 1st Capua – Silarus – 1st Herdonia – Upper Baetis – 2nd Capua – 2nd Herdonia – Numistro – Asculum – Tarentum – Baecula – Grumentum – Metaurus – Ilipa – Crotona – Utica – Bagbrades – Cirta – Po Valley – Great Plains – Zama
The first Battle of Herdonia was fought in 212 BC during the Second Punic War between Hannibal's Carthaginian army and Roman forces led by Praetor Gnaeus Fulvius.

Second Punic War
Sarguntum – Lilybaeum – Ticinus – Trebia – Cissa - Lake Trasimene – Ebro River – Cannae – 1st Nola – Dertosa – 2nd Nola – Cornus - 3rd Nola – 1st Capua – Silarus – 1st Herdonia – Upper Baetis – 2nd Capua – 2nd Herdonia – Numistro – Asculum – Tarentum – Baecula – Grumentum – Metaurus – Ilipa – Crotona – Utica – Bagbrades – Cirta – Po Valley – Great Plains – Zama

Fulvius was unaware of Hannibal's presence until he was within the immediate area of Herdonia. Fulvius is said to have become careless from his easy successes and weighted down with plunder. Fulvius accepted battle on Hannibal's offer at the behest of his extremely eager soldiers.

Hannibal deployed his force on the plain outside of his camp, while sending about a thousand light infantry to his extreme left flank to effect a surprise attack from the woodlands and farms located in that direction. Hannibal also sent out 2,000 Numidians to take control of the roads in the rear of Fulvius' army. Hannibal's army overwhelmed the Romans almost at once. Fulvius fled almost immediately as Hannibal's attacks came from in front, behind and to both sides. Roughly 2,000 Romans are said to have survived the battle.

Battle of Herdonia (212 BC)

See also