Early Life and Career Gaius Claudius Nero

the third battle of nola, 214 bc, showing route nero took try surprise hannibal rear.

when hannibal returned third year, marcellus again prepared defend city. sent claudius out under cover of darkness @ head of best cavalry circle behind opposing forces and, once battle underway, attack rear. however, either through poor timing or losing way, claudius failed carry out plan. livy tells though romans carried day, killing 2,000 carthaginians loss of 400 roman troops, without cavalry support marcellus decided against pursuing fleeing troops. when claudius returned camp around sunset, marcellus upbraided him claiming “it fault disaster suffered @ cannae not paid enemy”.

dodge advises caution regarding livy’s account. while livy recounts marcellus blaming claudius tardiness plan’s failure, dodge points out “nero splendid marcher” and, more probably, route assigned pursue long feasible. however, battle can still seen of change in fortune romans. not hannibal repulsed, next day marched out of campania tarentum.