At the same time their army in Northern Greece effectually engaged the attention of Philip.

Thus two years (214-212) passed without any material change in the situation of affairs in Italy.
In 212, while the Carthaginians were in the extreme south of Italy, besieging Tarentum, the Romans made strenuous efforts to recover Campania, and especially Capua.

Hannibal, learning the danger, marched rapidly north, and failing to break through the lines which enclosed the city, resolved to advance on Rome itself.
Silently and quickly he marched along the _Via Latino_ through the heart of the territory of Rome, to within three miles of the city, and with his vanguard he even rode up to one of the city gates.

But no ally joined him; no Roman force was recalled to face him; no proposals of peace reached his camp.

Impressed by the unmoved confidence of the enemy, he withdrew as quickly as he came, and retreated to his head-quarters in the South.
Capua fell in 211, and the seat of war, to the great relief of Rome, was removed to Lucania and Bruttium.