Page "Hannibal" Paragraph 29

Having ravaged Apulia without bringing Fabius to battle, Hannibal decided to march through Samnium to Campania, one of the richest and most fertile provinces of Italy, hoping that the devastation would draw Fabius into battle.

Fabius closely followed Hannibal ’ s path of destruction, yet still refused to let himself be drawn out of the defensive.

This strategy was unpopular with many Romans, who believed it was a form of cowardice.