In fact, the situation was favourable enough for Hasdrubal Barca to move to Africa and crush the rebellion of Syphax without the Scipios gaining any advantages in Iberia.

Hannibal had made Capua his winter quarter in 215 BC and had conducted his campaigns against Nola and Casilinum from there.

[2] In 212 BC, the elected consuls, Appius Claudius and Quintus Fulvius Flaccus, resolved to besiege Capua.

In response to their appeal, Hanno and his army moved north from Bruttium and collected provisions for Capua then encamped near Beneventum.

The Romans under Fulvius Flaccus attacked Hanno's camp while most of his men were foraging and captured it after initial setbacks.

The Romans were waiting for Gracchus to reinforce them with additional cavalry and did not start any general action against Capua.

However, before the expected reinforcements arrived, Hannibal and his army moved into Campania, and encamped on Mount Tifata on the eastern side of Capua.

The horsemen turned out to be the cavalry of Gracchus, under the command of Cornelius, a junior officer, coming to join the consular armies.

Although the Battle of Capua did not produce a decisive result, the Roman consuls decided to split their armies and withdraw from Campania altogether.