023 Nola v1 - Punic Wars

First Battle of Nola 216 BC. Having conducted a rapid march from the main Roman army at Casilinum, Praetor Claudius Marcellus has taken control of Nola before Hannibal can secure the town. However, a plebeian faction within the town is pro-Carthaginian and has been conducting secret nocturnal negotiations with the enemy to open the gates when a suitable opportunity arises. Hoping to incite a popular insurrection, Hannibal orders up his siege equipment and prepares to assault the walls. Meanwhile, Marcellus has drawn up his troops in battle array within the walls and launches a surprise sortie just as the Carthaginians are bringing up their siege ladders. To simulate this surprise, the Carthaginians are initially disordered and deployed in march column formation. (See Livy, XXIII)