INTRODUCTION

This chapter will examine the application of the Hannibalic strategy in Apulia, its mixed results in the summer of 216 and Hannibal's ultimate strategic failure in the region. Apulia in the Second Punic War is an interesting case study because Hannibal did in fact enjoy a great deal of success there. He won over the most powerful city in the region, Arpi, as well as many smaller communities including Salapia, Herdonia, Aecae and probably Ausculum. It was in Apulia, moreover, where Hannibal's strategy first began to produce results, as these revolts occurred immediately after the battle of Cannae and before Hannibal departed for Samnium and Campania. Yet he was not completely successful in eliciting allied revolts in Apulia, even though the battle of Cannae took place there and should therefore have had the most dramatic effect in undermining Rome's reputation among nearby communities. Two Latin colonies remained Roman strongholds, Luceria and Venusia. More interestingly, a few Apulian communities remained loyal to Rome, including Teanum Apulum and Canusium, the latter situated very close to where the battle of Cannae was fought. Ultimately, of course, Hannibal failed to hold Apulia; in fact, Arpi fell to the Romans within only a few years, in 213, making it the first of Hannibal's important allies to be recaptured. Since Rome had maintained control of Luceria, Venusia, Teanum Apulum and Canusium, Hannibal's Apulian allies were essentially isolated, and since he was unable to protect them, the Romans slowly but surely reconquered all of the rebellious cities.