to the Gallic allies. All Etruria was lost, and Hannibal could march
without hindrance upon Rome, whose citizens, expecting the enemy
daily, tore down the bridges over the Tiber and prepared for a siege.
QUINTUS FABIUS MAXIMUS was appointed Dictator.

Hannibal, however, did not march upon Rome, but turned through Umbria,
devastating the country as he went. Crossing the Apennines, he halted
on the shores of the Adriatic, in Picénum. After giving his army a
rest, he proceeded along the coast into Southern Italy.

The Romans, seeing that the city was not in immediate danger, raised
another army, and placed the Dictator in command. Fabius was a man of
determination and firmness, well advanced in years. He determined to
avoid a pitched battle, but to dog the steps of the enemy, harassing
him and cutting off his supplies as far as possible.

Meanwhile Hannibal again crossed the mountains into the heart of Italy
to Beneventum, and from there to Capua, the largest Italian city
dependent upon Rome. The Dictator followed, condemning his soldiers to
the melancholy task of looking on in inaction, while the enemy's
cavalry plundered their faithful allies. Finally, Fabius obtained what
he considered a favorable opportunity for an attack. Hannibal,
disappointed in his expectations that Capua would be friendly to him,
and not being prepared to lay siege to the town, had withdrawn towards
the Adriatic. Fabius intercepted him near Casilinum, in Campania, on
the left bank of the Volturnus. The heights that commanded the right
bank of the river were occupied by his main army; and the road itself,
which led across the river, was guarded by a strong division of men.

Hannibal, however, ordered his light-armed troops to ascend the