heights over the road during the night, driving before them oxen with
burning fagots tied to their horns, giving the appearance of an army
marching by torchlight. The plan was successful. The Romans abandoned
the road and marched for the heights, along which they supposed the
enemy were going. Hannibal, with a clear road before him, continued
his march with the bulk of his army. The next morning he recalled his
light-armed troops, which had been sent on to the hills with the oxen.
Their engagement with the Romans had resulted in a severe loss to
Fabius.

Hannibal then proceeded, without opposition, in a northeasterly
direction, by a very circuitous route. He arrived in Luceria, with
much booty and a full money-chest, at harvest time. Near here he
encamped in a plain rich in grain and grass for the support of his
army.

At Rome the policy of Fabius was severely criticised. His apparent
inaction was displeasing to a large party, and he was called Cunctator
(the Delayer). At length the assembly voted that his command be shared
by one of his lieutenants, Marcus Minucius. The army was divided into
two corps; one under Marcus, who intended to attack Hannibal at the
first opportunity; the other under Fabius, who still adhered to his
former tactics. Marcus made an attack, but paid dearly for his
rashness, and his whole corps would have been annihilated had not
Fabius come to his assistance and covered his retreat. Hannibal passed
the winter of 217-216 unmolested.

The season was spent by the Romans in active preparations for the
spring campaign. An army of 80,000 infantry and 6,000 cavalry was
raised and put under the command of the Consuls, LUCIUS ÆMILIUS