 Sempronius had set sail for Sicily, where he was to complete his preparations for invading Africa.Hannibal had dismissed his army to winter quarters after the Siege of Saguntum.In the summer of 218 BC, Hannibal stationed 15,000 soldiers and 21 elephants in Iberia under his brother Hasdrubal Barca, and sent 20,000 soldiers in Africa with 4,000 garrisoning Carthage itself.