Taken from Great Roman Generals of the Second Punic War Thread
Possibly one of the most Underestimated men in the Whole war between Rome and Carthage. Yet the role he played was vital to the survival of Roma. Nero was not a Fabius, yet he was not a Marcellus. After Publius Cornelius Scipio was killed in Spain, Nero took over not that long afterwards. Nero knew how to gain alliances and with his Spanish allies managed to defeat Hasdrubal Barca and push him out of the small Roman occupied area of Spain. After this great achievement, Nero managed to push deeply into spain and for awhile it looked as if Carthaginian Spain would fall. Nero pushed as Far as Baetis and was in sight of Carthago Nova when he was replaced by the young Scipio, Publius Cornelius Scipio "The Younger". While Scipio was arriving in Spain, and Nero was already called home, Hasdrubal did manage to take back most of Spain.
Nero was very unpopular with the people and the senate though. So even though his success's were great, they were downplayed and generally tossed aside. Nero would have a time to redeem himself though.
Scipio conducted his campaign in Spain with the mind of a brilliant general, not a great one. After Scipio defeated Hasdrubal Barca in Southern Spain, he allowed Hasdrubal to escape. This was a mistake which made him unpopular in Rome and he could have caught Hasdrubal too.
Hasdrubal re-formed his forces and moved into Italy. At this time in the war Rome was as afraid of Hasdrubal as it was Hannibal. This was Scipio's mistake. He had allowed Hadrubal to re-form and march into italy full of African, Spanish, and Gallic forces. These were the men Hannibal had used to defeat the Romans and truly, were the best of the Carthaginian Army.
If Hasdrubal linked up with Hannibal, then the future was bleak for Rome. Hannibal would have some 70,000-80,000 men under his command. 50,000 of which would be the Heavy Spanish and African infantry. Nero would gain his glory here. Nero would do an astounding 250 mile march in 7 days, a grand feat. The soldiers would march all day and night, the ones that were exhausted and fell asleep were carried in wagons. Once he Arrived in Camp, he told his men they would fight the next day.
Nero was in overall command at the Battle of Metaurus. It is because he marched so far so fast that the Romans defeated and killed Hasdrubal Barca. After the battle was over, Nero, the Hero of Rome at the time, Marched back to his consular Camp before Hannibal with his chosen 7,000. He had Marched over 500 miles, won the victory of the year, and destroyed the chances for a carthaginian Victory in Italy ; all within 2 weeks. Hannibal didnt even know.