While the Carthaginians had been busy at Geronium, Fabius had left Minucius in charge of the Roman army with instructions to follow the "Fabian strategy" and journeyed to Rome to observe some religious duties.
[1] Minucius, who had always advocated a more forward strategy against Hannibal, moved down from the hills after a few days and set up a new camp in the plain of Larinum to the north of Geronium.
The Romans then began harassing the Carthaginian foragers from their new camp as Minucius sought to provoke Hannibal into battle.
The Roman commander, for all his rashness, handled the situation with skill and shrewdness to manipulate the events to his advantage.
However Minucius finally accepted his commands after Fabius saved his life during Hannibal's attack at Geronium.