[1] He then received news from Apulian envoys of a Roman army under Flaccus that was easy prey owing to its low discipline and lack of awareness.

[1] Fulvius and his army had had a rather easy time in Apulia, and the Romans were unaware of Hannibal's presence until he was within the immediate area of Herdonia.

[3] Hannibal deployed his forces on the plain outside his camp, while sending about 3,000 light infantry to his extreme left flank to effect a surprise attack from the woodlands and farms located in that direction.

[4] After the Herdonia battle, Hannibal marched south towards Tarentum, where the Romans were besieged in the citadel while the town had fallen to Carthaginian allies earlier in 212 BC.

They have speculated that Hannibal had retired to rest his army and give the wounded a chance to recover after three hard-fought battles and rapid marches.