Fabius Maximus had been elected consul, for the fifth time, in 209.

Marcellus, named proconsul, retains control of his army.

During that year the Roman Army under Marcellus faced Hannibal's forces in a series of skirmishes and raids, without being drawn into open battle.

Marcellus defends his actions and tactics in front of the senate and is named consul for the fifth time for the year 208 BCE.

After entering his fifth consulship, Marcellus reenters the field and takes command of the army at Venusia.

While on a reconnaissance mission with his colleague, T. Quinctius Crispinus and a small band of two hundred and twenty horsemen, the group is ambushed and nearly completely slaughtered by a much larger Carthaginian force of Numidian horsemen.

Marcellus is impaled by a spear and dies on the field.

In the following days, Crispinus dies of his wounds.

The loss of both consuls is a major blow to Roman morale, as the Republic has lost its two senior military commanders in a single battle, while the formidable Carthaginian army is still at large in Italy.

In the year 23 BCE, Roman Emperor Augustus will recount that Hannibal had allowed Marcellus a proper funeral and even sent the ashes back to Marcellus’ son.