Though Hasdrubal's invasion had shifted the burden of war to Italy and brought corresponding relief to Spain, war was suddenly renewed in that country which was quite as formidable as the previous one. [2] At the time of Hasdrubal's departure Spain was divided between Rome and Carthage as follows: [3] Hasdrubal Gisgo had retreated to the ocean littoral near Gades, the Mediterranean coast-line and almost the whole of [4??] Eastern Spain was held by Scipio on behalf of Rome. A new general took Hasdrubal's place, named Hanno, who brought over [5??] a fresh army, and marched into Celtiberia, which lies between the Mediterranean and the ocean, and here he soon raised a very considerable army. [6] Scipio sent M. Silanus against him with a force of not more than 10,000 infantry and 500 cavalry. Silanus marched with all the speed he could, but his progress was impeded by the bad state of the roads and [7??] by the narrow mountain passes, obstacles which are met with in most parts of Spain. [8] In spite of these difficulties he outstripped not only any natives who might have carried tidings, but even any [9??] floating rumours of his advance, and with the assistance of some Celtiberian deserters who acted as guides he succeeded in finding the enemy. [10] When he was about ten miles distant, he was informed by his guides that there were two camps near the road on which he was marching; [11] the one on the left was occupied by the Celtiberians, a newly raised army about 9000 strong, the one on the right by the Carthaginians. [12] The latter was carefully guarded by outposts, pickets and all the usual precautions against surprise; [13] the Celtiberian camp was without any discipline, and all precautions were neglected as might be expected of barbarians and raw levies who felt all the less fear because they were in their own country. [14] Silanus decided to attack that one first, and kept his men as much to the left as possible, so as not to be seen by the Carthaginian outposts. [15] After sending on his scouts he advanced rapidly against the enemy.
