et, to retreat. The other troops of Hannibal were drawn
up ready to give the enemy a hot reception, if, as he expected, they
should pursue his retreating vanguard. Sempronius was caught in the
trap, and all his army, except one division of 10,000, was cut to
pieces. The survivors took refuge in Placentia and Cremona, where they
spent the winter. Sempronius himself escaped to Rome.

The result of TREBIA was the insurrection of all the Celtic tribes in
the valley of the Po, who increased Hannibal's army by 60,000 infantry
and 4,000 cavalry. While the Carthaginian was wintering near Placentia,
the Romans stationed troops to guard the two highways leading north from
Rome and ending at Arretium and Ariminum, The Consuls for this year were
GAIUS FLAMINIUS and GNAEUS SERVILIUS. The former occupied Arretium, the
latter Ariminum. Here they were joined by the troops that had wintered
at Placentia.

In the spring, Hannibal, instead of attempting to pursue his march by
either of the highways which were fortified, outflanked the Romans by
turning aside into Etruria. His route led through a marshy and unhealthy
country, and many soldiers perished. Hannibal himself lost an eye from
ophthalmia. When he had arrived at Faesulae a report of his course first
reached Flaminius, who at once broke camp and endeavored to intercept
his enemy. Hannibal, however, had the start, and was now near LAKE
TRASIMENUS.

Here was a pass with a high hill on one side and the lake on the other.
Hannibal, with the flower of his infantry, occupied the hill. His
light-armed troops and horsemen were drawn up in concealment on either
side.

The Roman column advanced (May, 217), without hesitation, to the
unoccupied pass, the thick morning mist completely concealing the
position of the enemy. As the Roman vanguard approached the hill,
Hannibal gave the signal for attack. The cavalry closed up the entrance
to the pass, and at the same time the mist rolled away, revealing the
Carthaginian arms on the right and left. It was not a battle, but a mere
rout. The main body of the Romans was cut to pieces, with scarcely any
resistance, and the Consul himself was killed. Fifteen thousand Romans
fell, and as many more were captured. The loss of the Carthaginians was
but 1,500, and was confined mostly 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