Battle of the Metaurus

Battle of the Metaurus. A pivotal battle in the ancient conflict between Rome and Carthage, fought in 207 BC near the Metaurus River in Italy. The Roman armies were led by the consuls Marcus Livius Salinator and Gaius Claudius Nero. The Carthagenians were led by Hannibal's brother Hasdrubal. This battle resulted in a Roman victory, and the death of Hasdrubal.

Lord Byron wrote of the battle:

"The consul Nero, who made the unequalled march which deceived Hannibal and deceived Hasdrubal, thereby accomplishing an achievement almost unrivaled in military annals. The first intelligence of his return, to Hannibal, was the sight of Hasdrubal's head thrown into his camp. When Hannibal saw this, he exclaimed, with a sigh, that 'Rome would now be the mistress of the world.' To this victory of Nero's it might be owing that his imperial namesake reigned at all. But the infamy of the one has eclipsed the glory of the other. When the name of Nero is heard, who thinks of the consul? But such are human things."