The first battle took place in the night of 16–17 June 1744, when the Spanish-Neapolitan army launched a surprise attack and conquered 3 important hills.

The second battle occurred on 10 and 11 August 1744, when the Austrian army, after seizing Velletri in a nighttime attack and capturing much of King Charles' royal entourage, were rapidly thrown back and retreated.

The next day, Jean Thierry du Mont, comte de Gages gave the order to withdraw and preserve only the Artemisio ridge line.

On 28 July Lobkowitz received a request to transfer at least one regiment to Piedmont in support of the Kingdom of Sardinia, which was attacked by the Bourbons through the Alps.

The purpose of the surprise attack was to capture the general staff of the Neapolitan army and in particular King Charles VII of Naples.