Battle of the Trebia

For the Napoleonic battle of Trebia, see Battle of Trebia (1799)

The Battle of the Trebia (or Trebbia) was a battle of the Second Punic War fought between the Carthaginian forces of Hannibal and the Romans in 218 BC.

Hannibal's force was camped across the frozen Trebbia River (flowing from the Alps), near Piacenza. He sent light cavalry across the river to harass the Roman force and then to feign being routed. The Romans pursued the cavalry back across the river - when they reached the opposite bank they were set upon by the main Carthaginian army. Reports from the time state that the Romans were so cold after the river crossing that many soldiers could not even hold their weapons. This resulted in Hannibal's first great victory over the Romans.

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