28.1
Though Hasdrubal's
invasion had shifted the burden of war to Italy and brought corresponding
relief to Spain, war was suddenly renewed in that country which was quite as
formidable as the previous one. At the time of Hasdrubal's departure Spain
was divided between Rome and Carthage as follows: Hasdrubal Gisgo had
retreated to the ocean littoral near Gades, the Mediterranean coast-line and
almost the whole of Eastern Spain was held by Scipio on behalf of Rome. A
new general took Hasdrubal's place, named Hanno, who brought over a
fresh army, and marched into Celtiberia, which lies between the
Mediterranean and the ocean, and here he soon raised a very considerable
army. Scipio sent M. Silanus against him with a force of not more than
10,000 infantry and 500 cavalry. Silanus marched with all the speed he
could, but his progress was impeded by the bad state of the roads and by the
narrow mountain passes, obstacles which are met with in most parts of
Spain. In spite of these difficulties he outstripped not only any natives who
might have carried tidings, but even any floating rumours of his advance, and
with the assistance of some Celtiberian deserters who acted as guides he
succeeded in finding the enemy. When he was about ten miles distant, he was
informed by his guides that there were two camps near the road on which he
was marching; the one on the left was occupied by the Celtiberians, a newly
raised army about 9000 strong, the one on the right by the Carthaginians.
The latter was carefully guarded by outposts, pickets and all the usual
precautions against surprise; the Celtiberian camp was without any
discipline, and all precautions were neglected as might be expected of
barbarians and raw levies who felt all the less fear because they were in their
own country. Silanus decided to attack that one first, and kept his men as
much to the left as possible, so as not to be seen by the Carthaginian
outposts. After sending on his scouts he advanced rapidly against the enemy.
