The insulting Numidians had already retired, but Sempronius was now determined to bring on the battle.

He marched down the river and crossed at a ford.
The water was intensely cold, the river was in flood, the ford waist deep as the soldiers marched across it.

Having gained the opposite bank, the Roman general formed his army in order of battle.

His infantry, about forty-five thousand strong, was formed in three parallel lines; the cavalry, five thousand strong, was on the flanks.

The infantry consisted of sixteen thousand Roman legionary or heavy infantry, and six thousand light infantry.