Having thus prepared for the battle, Hannibal proceeded to provoke it.
At daybreak on the twenty-sixth he despatched a strong body of horsemen across the river.

Crossing the Trebia partly by ford and partly by swimming, the Carthaginian horse rode up to the palisade surrounding the Roman camp, where, with insulting shouts and the hurling of their javelins, they aroused the Roman soldiers from their slumber.

This insult had the desired effect, Sempronius rushed from his tent, furious at what he deemed the insolence of the Carthaginians, and called his troops to arms.

With their accustomed discipline the Romans fell into their ranks.

The light cavalry first issued from the palisade, the infantry followed, the heavy cavalry brought up the rear.