By now Hasdrubal has made his way across the Alps, with siege engines to attempt to reinforce his brother. Hasdrubal runs into the Roman consuls Marcus Livius, and Gaius Cladius Nero on his way there and they enter battle along the Metaurus River. The Roman commander Nero used about 700 soldiers to try to distract Hasdrubal. Hasdrubal saw this coming, however, and ordered a cavalry unit to attack Livius's units, who were attempting to round the river and flank the army. The result is a counter-flank and the decimation of most of the Roman army, and Nero and Livius being taken captive. Hasdrubal quickly gathers his army and heads south to meet Hannibal.