Siege of Mutina in 218 BC constitutes one of the first episodes of the second Punic war. Hannibal's diplomacy in Cisalpine Gaul pushed the Gauls Boii and Insubres to revolt. These drove the colonists out of Piacenza (Placentia) and pushed them as far as Modena (Mutina) which was besieged, and almost wasn't occupied .^[1]

Prelude

Roman imperialism first brought its armies north of the Po (river) starting in 224 BC. The long resistance of the Gallic tribes, especially the Boii, makes us understand how harsh the wars conducted in these and subsequent years were.^[2] The commanders of that year were the two consuls Titus Manlius Torquatus and Quinto Fulvius Flaccus .^[3] This new Roman offensive was the natural reaction to the Gallic invasion which led to the Battle of Telamon (225 BC). Immediately afterwards the Romans crossed the Apennines and poured into the territories of the Boii.^[2] The following years saw the consuls Gaius Flaminius Nepos and Publius Furius Philus (223 BC) defeat the Insubres^[4] and obtain a triumph De Galleis, although Flaminius was refused for religious and political reasons. In 222 BC there were then the decisive Roman victories of Clastidium (222 BC ) and the capture of the capital insubre of Mediolanum (Milan).

To consolidate its dominion, Rome created the colonies of Placentia, in the territory of the Boii, and Cremona in that of the Insubres.^[5] The Gauls of northern Italy will rebel again following the descent of Hannibal.^[6]

Siege

Once besieged in Mutina, the Gauls, who were inexperienced in the art of besieging, staying "lazily and inertly camped under the walls" of the city, pretended to negotiate peace.^[7] Livy says that the Gaulish leaders invited the Roman ambassadors for a conversation, but after having taken them prisoner, violating every kind of "law of the people", they refused to free them if they had not been returned to them the hostages.^[8]

When this news reached the Roman praetor Lucius Manlius Vulsone, filled with anger he led his army in a disorderly manner near the city, around which they spread numerous forests. He was taken by surprise by the Gauls and, due to carelessness, had not explored the territory beforehand and adequately, he barely managed to take refuge in an open field, suffering numerous losses.^[9]

Having then placed and fortified his own camps, he regained courage even though he had suffered losses of [500-1,000 men].^[10] When it resumed its march, the Roman army encountered new forests. Once again the Gauls attacked, this time the rearguard, and once again carried out a great massacre: 700 Roman victims and six captured standards.^[11]

Having once again reached a plain, the Romans took refuge in the nearby village of TanetoTannetum, near the Po. Here they fortified the camp again and arranged for the transport of their supplies on the waters of the river, thanks to 'help of the Cenomani Gauls and the inhabitants of Brixia.^[12] The Cisalpine Gaul, theater of operations in the autumn of 218 BC: from the revolt of the Boii with the siege of Mutina, to the victories of Hannibal at the Battle of Ticino and at the Trebbia.

Result

As soon as the news of the sudden revolt of the Gauls arrived, the Senate decreed to send the praetor Gaius Atilius Serrano with a legion and 5,000 allies, who had recently been enlisted by the consul Publius Cornelius Scipio. Thus Atilius arrived at Tannetum without being attacked, since the Gauls had retreated out of fear.^[13]

References

Sources

• Brizzi Giovanni (1997). Storia di Roma. 1. Dalle origini ad Azio. Bologna: Patron.
• Stephen L. Dyson (1985). The creation of the roman frontier. Princenton University Press.
• Piganiol André (1989). Le conquiste dei romani. Milano: Il Saggiatore.
• Howard H.Scullard (1992). Storia del mondo romano. Dalla fondazione di Roma alla distruzione di Cartagine. Vol. I. Milano: BUR.