Second Punic War in Iberia 220–206 BC From Hannibal at the Tagus to the Battle of Ilipa

1. BATTLE OF THE TAGUS RIVER, 220 BC

At the Tagus, Hannibal’s army of 25,000 foot, thousands of cavalry and 40 elephants was ambushed by a superior force of Carpetani, Olcades, Vaccaei and Vettones numbering 100,000 Iberians and Celt-Iberians. The Punic army was making its way

back from its successful campaign against the Vettones and Vaccaei, having sacked the towns of Helmantica and Arbucala. Hannibal’s treasure-laden army needed to cross the Tagus on its way to the home base of New Carthage. The beginning of the battle, shown here, sees a growing number of ferocious Carpetani and allies rushing into battle to get at the Carthaginian army across the Tagus River (1). The river is flowing to the west with a current of 1m/sec and depths of up to 1.5m. The distance between the banks is about 40m. The Celt-Iberians and Iberians are struggling in the water (2). Many native fighters are also being dragged away and drowned by the swift current (3). Hannibal is using a strategically placed palisade to funnel the enemy into disadvantageous places to ford (4). There are perhaps only three fords made available to them, where all the fighters are

experiencing the same difficulties. Within the palisade, Hannibal hides a number of elephants accompanied by skirmishers and large numbers of cavalry. The first elephants are seen emerging from the camp, supported by skirmishers, ready to attack the struggling survivors making it onto the bank (5). Numidian and Iberian light cavalry use their height advantage to deadly effect, killing and stopping the assault in the river (6).

2. THE UPPER BAETIS: THE BATTLE NEAR ILORCA, 211 BC

Half the consular army was destroyed at the first battle of the Upper Baetis near Castulo, along with its commander the elder Scipio. The other half, under Gnaeus, was forced to retreat north at night, trying to hide their movement from the everpresent

Numidian light cavalry. The following day, the Romans were caught and pinned in place by the cavalry, as more Punic forces began to arrive. Gnaeus opted to establish a defence, trying to avoid being cut to pieces while on the move. He withdrew his forces to a 186m hill called Monte Anaor, near the town of Ilorca. Here, he would face the combined might of three Carthaginian field forces as they closed in on his force. In this scene, we see the ad hoc defence on the slopes of Monte Anaor ordered by Gnaeus. Unable to dig in due to the hard ground, the Romans have used wicker baskets and baggage train items to throw up a makeshift rampart. An unfinished section of the defensive barrier can be seen, while farther left a slightly more finished

section has been constructed (1). The Roman soldiers have grabbed their weapons to face the growing mass of Carthaginians and their allies (2). Other Romans are seeking to escape by retreating up the slope, knowing they are outnumbered (3). All

along the hill, soldiers, members of the baggage train and cavalry are manning the defences (4). The Numidian cavalry (5) have harassed and skirmished with the retreating Romans until Monte Anaor; now they have been joined by the veteran Punic line infantry (6). The trap is about to close shut around Gnaeus and his men.

3. THE BATTLE OF ILIPA, 206 BC

Here, we see parts of the far left wing of the Carthaginian army during the very early stages of the battle. The younger Scipio has quickly deployed his army first and in reverse order, catching the Punic army off guard. On the far left wing, elephants and skirmishers, still extending farther to the left, are caught out by the rapidly approaching Roman cavalry, accompanied by velites (skirmishers), representing the Roman far right, while the rest of the Roman legion infantry is now deploying into

formation ready to attack the disorganized Iberian line troops. The Punic cavalry is strangely absent, even though they have been present in earlier skirmishes. The Roman right wing under the younger Scipio is starting to unfold, revealing line

infantry (1), cavalry (2) and velites (3). To the right of the Carthaginian elephants we see the outer edge of the Punic-allied Iberian fighters in open formation (4), representing the left wing of the Carthaginian army. Instead of having other native

troops facing them, they now must fight the best of the consular army. The African troops stationed in the centre are pinned by Rome’s Iberian allies and are thus unable to counter-move. The younger Scipio’s reverse formation, with Romans on the wings instead of in the centre, will pay dividends in this battle.