One consul having been defeated at the Ticinus, the other having been recalled from Sicily, and now both consuls and their two consular armies having been vanquished, what other commanders, what other legions were there to be sent for?
The consul Sempronius came to them whilst thus dismayed, having passed at great risk through the cavalry of the enemy, scattered in every direction in search of plunder, with courage, rather than with any plan or hope of escaping, or of making resistance if he should not escape it.

Having held the assembly for the election of the consuls, the only thing which was particularly wanting at present, he returned to the winter quarters.

Cneius Servilius and Caius Flaminius were elected consuls.

But not even the winter quarters of the Romans were undisturbed, the Numidian horse ranging at large, and where the ground was impracticable for these, the Celtiberians and Lusitanians.

All supplies, therefore, from every quarter, were cut off, except such as the ships conveyed by the Po.
There was a magazine near Placentia, both fortified with great care and secured by a strong garrison.