The Celtic War, 225-222 BC but Marcellus Was Already a Seasoned
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The Celtic War, 225-222 BC Cisalpine Gaul, to carry on this war. ship in 222 BC, at the age of 46. His But Marcellus was already a seasoned The two consuls joined forces to campaign against the Insubres and commander before the Second Punic besiege the Insubres Celtic strong- Gaesatae Celts marked him as an War began. He had served as a hold of Acerrae with a combined extraordinary Roman commander. junior officer during the latter years force of four double legions. The of the First War with Carthage, Celtic King Britomartus responded by Following the Celtic invasion of Italy fighting against Hamilcar Barca's leading an army of 10,000 Gaesatae mercenaries in Sicily. In one hotly in 225 BC (see the Telamon campaign and Insubres warriors to ravage the contested battle he saved the life of featured in C3i Nr.6), Rome launched territory around Clastidium, a Roman his brother, Otacilius, and was a series of punitive expeditions into stronghold. ^ awarded the 'civic crown'. He then the Celtic homelands along the Po progressed through the normal series River in Northern Italy during 224- Marcellus, displaying his aggressive of offices during the interwar years. 223 BC. The consuls for 222 BC, character, decided to lead a flying In what would normally have been Marcellus and Gnaeus Cornelius column after Britomartus. Marcellus the culmination of a successful career, Scipio (the uncle of Africanus) were took only two thirds of the cavalry of Marcellus was elected to the consul- again allotted the province of the four legions, a little over 3,000 Marcellus was still organizing his and paralyzed with indecision, horsemen, and a picked force of 600 fleet at Ostia, Rome's main port at the Marcellus kept his head. Although velites. With this small detachment mouth of the Tibur River. While he realized that there was little Marcellus surprised Britomartus and most Romans were seized with panic danger that Hannibal could actually immediately offered battle. Britomartus hurriedly threw his troops into line, with nearly 8,000 infantry in the center and more than 1,500 cavalry on the flanks. Marcellus, in decidedly un-Roman fashion, rode out ahead of his army to engage King Britomartus in single combat. The two war leaders charged at each other, and Marcellus slew the Celtic King with one thrust of his lance. Thus he became only the third Roman commander in history to kill an enemy king in hand to hand combat, and despoil him of his armor. This feat was known as taking the 'spolia optima'. Marcellus then rejoined his detachment and lead them to an astonishing victory over the much larger Celtic army. For this victory, Marcellus was awarded a triumph upon his return to Rome. The Second Punic War Begins, 218-216 BC When the Second Punic War began, the Romans had no premonition of the magnitude of the struggle about to ensue. Hence, regular constitu- tional procedures for electing generals (two consuls and four praetors) were in effect. Normally, a Roman noble could expect to serve only one consulship in a lifetime. Truly extraordinary generals (with plenty of political pull) might be awarded a second consulship, but usually only after at least a decade had passed. So, even though Marcellus was recognized as one of Rome's top commanders, he was not called upon to serve in the first two years of the war. The defeats at Ticinus, Trebbia and Trasimene caused the Roman Senate to begin to rethink its policies, however. In 216 BC Marcellus, now 52 years of age, was elected as one of the four Praetors, and assigned to command of the fleet, to operate in Sicilian waters. When Hannibal enveloped and destroyed the army of the Consuls Varro and Paullus at Cannae, capture Rome, Marcellus nevertheless Marcellus correctly foresaw that the Marcellus also sent word to the immediately dispatched 1,500 arrival of any fresh troops would Senate that he was ready and willing marines to the capitol. Even though bolster the confidence of the populace to take the field against Hannibal, their numbers were insignificant, and help restore calm to the city. wherever he might be needed. The Senate ordered the Praetor to proceed to Canusium and relieve Varro of the command of the 14,000 fugitives of Cannae that had gath- ered there. Marcellus combined these demoralized troops with his remaining marines and hastily organized a new army. Meanwhile, two legions of new recruits and two legions of volunteer slaves and convicts were raised at Rome. These three weak armies were in no condition to confront Hannibal directly, but sought to maneuver to bring aid to wavering allied cities. Campaigning on Campania, 216-215 BC Capua, the second city of Italy and chief city of the province of Campania, led a wave of defections to the side of Carthage. Marcellus was therefore directed to Campania to protect the remaining allies. Marcellus first secured Neapolis (Naples), the chief seaport, with a strong garrison. But the city of Nola presented a more complicated problem. In this city, as in many others, the popular party favored alliance with Carthage while the aristocrats stood by Rome. Hannibal was in communication with the popular leaders of Nola to betray the city to him. Marcellus placed a strong garrison in Nola, and diplomatically won over some key popular leaders. Hannibal advanced to storm the city, expecting a fifth column to support him from within the city. Instead the Carthaginians were met by a power- ful sortie led by Marcellus. Although this affair was little more than a skirmish, it was played up back in Rome as the "Battle of Nola." The Roman people were desparate for some good news. Marcellus was able to ride the popularity of the action at Nola into a second election as Consul in 215 BC. However, both Marcellus and his colleague as consul, Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus, were plebe- ians. Tradition dictated that at least one consul must be a patrician. showed. Marcellus, hard pressed, walls, Hannibal faced not only his Marcellus' political enemies in the reluctantly ordered a withdrawal army but two to three additional Senate took advantage of this to back into the city. The Third Battle of Roman armies in Southern Italy. drum up religious omens to force his Nola ended in a draw. Nero didn't Hannibal fought all through resignation of the consulship. The arrive till evening, and was re- Samnium, Apulia, Lucania and patrician Fabius was elected in his proached by Marcellus for spoiling Bruttium as well as in Campania. stead. It mattered little though, as the opportunity for a decisive victory. Marcellus' role, and the celebrated Marcellus was again given command But, as Nero was later to demonstrate Nola battles probably seemed quite of an army as a proconsul. during the Meaturus campaign, he insignificant to the great was a brilliant strategist and a hard Carthaginian. But in Rome the view Since the two legions of disgraced marcher. It seems likely that Nero's was different. The people were Cannae survivors had been banished flanking march was either poorly starved for any good news, and to serve the remainder of the war planned by Marcellus (too long a Marcellus provided what little they outside Italy, Marcellus was given the route) or foiled by Hannibal's flank got. At least he wasn't afraid to fight. XVI and XVII legions for his army. security detachments (which he These legions had been raised surely posted). The Sicilian Interlude, 214-211 following Cannae, and served the BC remainder of the year 216 BC as the Marcellus had campaigned for three Meanwhile, in Sicily, the faithful urban legions, the garrison of Rome. years in Campania, and was hailed as Roman ally King Hiero of Syracuse Marcellus was again assigned to a great general in Rome. But his had died in 215 BC. Hannibal sent a Campania, and once more saw action Campanian campaigns, and the Nola pair of mixed blood Syracusan- at Nola. This time, when Hannibal battles, must be viewed in perspec- Carthaginian officers, Epicydes and approached, Marcellus led out his tive. While Marcellus conducted a Hippocrates, to foment a revolt in the entire army. He took up a position defensive campaign from behind city city. Engineering a series of plots, close to the city, with his flanks assassinations and counterplots, it secured, and offered battle. Hannibal accepted the challenge, and a battle was fought that resulted in a draw. This, the Second Battle of Nola, enhanced Marcellus' reputation as the only general who could fight Hannibal and not get his command annihilated. Marcellus Strikes Back at Nola, 214 BC With steadily growing popularity, Marcellus was elected to his third consulship in 214 BC. This time, the Senate did not interfere. Marcellus retained his army, the XVI and XVII legions and was again posted to Campania. In his favorite locale, at Nola, Marcellus offered battle to the wily, one-eyed Carthaginian for a third time. This time, however, Marcellus would play to win. He developed a plan to out-Punic the master. The evening before the intended action, Marcellus dis- patched one of his tribunes, Gaius Claudius Nero (later victor at Metaurus) with a picked force of cavalry, velites and infantry out the back gate of Nola. Nero was ordered to make a wide, flanking night march so as to be able to fall on Hannibal's rear the next morning. On the morrow, Marcellus led out his army and engaged in a fierce battle with Hannibal. But Nero never appeared in 214 BC that Epicydes methodical Roman siege-craft was While Marcellus was gone, the was about to succeed.