Tiber and prepared for a siege. QUINTUS FABIUS MAXIMUS was appointed
Dictator.

Hannibal, however, did not march upon Rome, but turned through Umbria,
devastating the country as he went. Crossing the Apennines, he halted on
the shores of the Adriatic, in Picenum. After giving his army a rest, he
proceeded along the coast into Southern Italy.

The Romans, seeing that the city was not in immediate danger, raised
another army, and placed the Dictator in command. Fabius was a man of
determination and firmness, well advanced in years. He determined to
avoid a pitched battle, but to dog the steps of the enemy, harassing him
and cutting off his supplies as far as possible.

Meanwhile Hannibal again crossed the mountains into the heart of
Italy to Beneventum, and from there to Capua, the largest Italian city
dependent upon Rome. The Dictator followed, condemning his soldiers to
the melancholy task of looking on in inaction, while the enemy's cavalry
plundered their faithful allies. Finally, Fabius obtained what he
considered a favorable opportunity for an attack. Hannibal, disappointed
in his expectations that Capua would be friendly to him, and not being
prepared to lay siege to the town, had withdrawn towards the Adriatic.
Fabius intercepted him near Casilinum, in Campania, on the left bank of
the Volturnus. The heights that commanded the right bank of the river
were occupied by his main army; and the road itself, which led across
the river, was guarded by a strong division of men.

Hannibal, however, ordered his light-armed troops to ascend the 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 app