With Hannibal having shattered Rome's image as a dominant power at the Battle of Cannae, the cities of southern Italy begin forming alliances with Carthage, bringing the Republic close to collapse in 216 BC. Yet, with the Roman Senate remaining defiant, refusing to accept anything less than total victory in the Second Punic War. Driving them to desperate extremes to assemble new Legions amidst horrific casualties, a ruined economy, food shortages and mass allied defections. This, while Scipio and the surviving troops from Cannae are marched to Campania to prevent the region from falling to Hannibal.  If you would like to support my work directly, you can kindly do so here: patreon.com/warlordsofhistory Check out the Ancient Heroes podcast: ancientheroes.net