PUNIC WATCH:
On this day: Hannibal defeats the Romans at Trebia (
The Scotsman).
218BC: Hannibal’s Cathaginian army defeated the Romans at the Battle of the Trebia during the second Punic War.
You can read about the details of the battle at Military History at About.com:
Second Punic War: Battle of the Trebia (Kennedy Hickman).
The victory at Trebia was Hannibal's first great triumph in Italy and would be followed by others at Lake Trasimene (217 BC) and Cannae (216 BC). Despite these stunning victories, Hannibal was never able to completely defeat Rome, and was ultimately recalled to Carthage to aid in protecting the city from a Roman army. In the resulting battle at Zama (202 BC), he was beaten and Carthage was forced to make peace.