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Polybius links Hasdrubal‟s invasion of Italy in 207 to glorifying Scipio and implies
that Scipio forced Hasdrubal out of Spain. The invasion is presented as a „last minute‟
decision by Hasdrubal whilst he was under pressure from Scipio‟s successes in Spain
(Hist. 10.37). 362 Polybius explains that Scipio chose not to follow-up his attack on
Hasdrubal because he was afraid of being attacked from behind by Mago and another
Hasdrubal (the son of Gesco, Hist. 10.38.10-39.10). An explanation for Scipio not
pursuing Hasdrubal after defeating him was certainly required given that Hasdrubal‟s
„retreat‟ was at elephant pace and that he went on to invade Italy with a significant force
(Hist. 10.39; 11.1). Silius Italicus also favours depicting Scipio driving Hasdrubal out of
Spain, and recording his glorious victory on a shield set up among the peaks of the
Pyrenees: Hasdrubalis spolium gradivo Scipio victor (Pun. 15.492).
Any plans Hannibal had for linking with Hasdrubal in a pincer movement through
the Italian peninsula came to an abrupt end when Hasdrubal was defeated and killed by
the combined armies of M. Livius Salinator and C. Claudius Nero at the Metaurus
River. Polybius treats the victory over Hasdrubal as important, locating it to open
Histories 11, and, although some details may no longer be extant, Hasdrubal‟s death is
marked with a very respectful literary portrait. Polybius then turns to the great joy at
Rome, once people were convinced that the victory was genuine (Hist. 11.1-3.6).
While treating the victory over Hasdrubal as important, Livy‟s presentation differs
from Polybius in a number of respects (Livy, 27.40-49). In particular, Hasdrubal‟s
invasion was a planned event and this, in turn, modifies the significance of Scipio‟s
victory because it was not against a full strength Carthaginian army, as elephants, men
and money had already been sent on ahead before Scipio attacked (Livy, 27.19.1).
Scipio‟s decision not to pursue Hasdrubal for fear of being attacked from behind by
Mago and the other Hasdrubal (Livy, 27.20.1) is criticised by Fabius Maximus, because
Scipio allowed Hasdrubal to slip past and invade Italy (Livy, 28.42). 363 Placing such
criticism in the mouth of Fabius Maximus is a touch ironic given that Hannibal and his
entire army „slipped past‟ Fabius Maximus in the Falernian plain!
In this version, the Romans initially learned about the planned invasion from captives
(Livy, 27.5.12). The details were confirmed when the Romans captured Hasdrubal‟s
messengers to Hannibal (Livy, 27.43). Livy‟s presentation may, like Horace, reflect the
362 Walbank, 1967, 247 Walbank considers Polybius‟ representation to be plausible.
161