Hannibal now shifting his camp from time to time continued to remain in the country near the Adriatic, and by bathing his horses with old wine, of which there was abundance, he thoroughly set right their mangy condition. In like manner he completely cured his wounded, and made the rest of his men sound in body and ready to perform cheerfully the services that would be required of them. After passing through and devastating the territories of Praetutia, Hadriana, <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Marrucina&groupId=735&placeId=1346">Marrucina</a>, and Frentana he marched on towards <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Iapygia&groupId=642&placeId=1176">Iapygia</a>. This province is divided among three peoples, the Daunii, Peucetii and Messapii, and it was the territory of the Daunii that Hannibal first invaded. Starting from Luceria, a Roman colony in this district, he laid waste the surrounding country. He next encamped near Vibo and overran the territory of Argyripa<note place="end" resp="tr" id="note9"><emph rend="bold">Argyripa:</emph>Otherwise Arpi.</note>and plundered all <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Daunia&groupId=531&placeId=1002">Daunia</a> unopposed.
At the same time Fabius on his appointment, after sacrificing to the gods, also took the field with his colleague and the four legions which had been raised for the emergency. Joining near <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Narnia&groupId=787&placeId=1424">Narnia</a> the army from <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Ariminum&groupId=362&placeId=691">Ariminum</a>, he relieved Gnaeus the Consul of his command on land and sent him with an escort to <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Rome&groupId=935&placeId=1669">Rome</a> with orders to take the steps that circumstances called for should the Carthaginians make any naval movements. Himself with his Master of the Horse taking the whole army under his command, he encamped opposite the Carthaginians near Aecae about six miles from the enemy.
Walbank Commentary