The genius of Hannibal was shown not only in the plan of battle and the disposition of his troops, but in the perfection with which they were handled, in the movements which he had himself invented and taught them, and the marvellous discipline with which he had inculcated them.
Napoleon the First assigned to Hannibal the leading place among the great generals of the world, and the Trebia was his masterpiece.

But the Carthaginians, exulting in their victory, did not gauge the extent of the stubbornness and resources of Rome.

Sempronius himself set the example to his countrymen.

At Piacenza he rallied the remnants of his army, and wrote to Rome, saying that he had been victorious, but that a sudden storm had saved the enemy from destruction.
The senate understood the truth, but acted in the spirit in which he had written.

They announced to the people that a victory had been won, and ordered the consular election to take place as usual, at the same time issuing orders to all parts of the Roman dominion for the enrolment of fresh troops.
Hannibal attempted to surprise Piacenza, but Scipio issued out with his cavalry and inflicted a check upon him, Hannibal himself being slightly wounded.