Battle of Rhone Crossing

Battle of the Rhone Crossing
Part of the Second Punic War

Hannibal's army and their war elephants crossing the Rhône
DateLate September 218 BC
Location
Debated location on the Rhône River, present-day France
44°8′17.999″N 4°48′34.999″E / 44.13833306°N 4.80972194°E / 44.13833306; 4.80972194
Result Carthaginian victory
Belligerents
Carthage Volcae, a tribe of Gauls
Commanders and leaders
Hannibal Unknown
Strength
  • 38,000 infantry
  • 8,000 cavalry
  • 37 elephants
Unknown
Casualties and losses
Unknown Unknown
Battle of Rhone Crossing is located in France
Battle of Rhone Crossing
Location within France
Battle of Rhone Crossing is located in Europe without the extreme north
Battle of Rhone Crossing
Battle of Rhone Crossing (Europe without the extreme north)

The Battle of the Rhône Crossing was a battle during the Second Punic War in September of 218 BC. Hannibal marched on the Italian Alps, and an army of Gallic Volcae attacked the Carthaginian army on the east bank of the Rhône. The Roman army camped near Massalia. The Volcae tried to prevent the Carthaginians from crossing the Alps and invading Italy.

Before they crossed the river, the Carthaginians sent a detachment to cross upriver, under Hanno, son of Bomilcar, and took up position behind the Gauls. Once the detachment was in place, Hannibal crossed the river with the main contingent of his army. As the Gauls massed to oppose Hannibal, Hanno attacked their rear and routed the Volcae army. This was Hannibal's first major battle (victory) outside of the Iberian Peninsula. It gave him an unopposed path to the Alps and into Italy.