In 204 BCE situation of Carthage in second Punic war was already hard, Spain was lost and Masynissa king of Numidia went to the side of Rome after Carthaginians betrayed him and supported his rival Syfax, who was crowned by them as next Numidian king. Hannibal stayed constantly in Italia, but not as triumphant winner. Commander survived difficulty in the south of Apenine peninsula, his army was broken and there was no chance for any support.
