Manius Pomponius Matho to the dictator, Lucius Veturius Philo, and was elected praetor for the following year, 216 BC. There seems no reason for believing that the Matho, praetor of this year, was a different person from the consul of 233 BC, as the Romans were now at war with Hannibal, and were therefore anxious to appoint to the great offices of the state generals who had had experience in war. The lot, however, did not give any military command to Matho, but the "jurisdictio inter ewes Romanos et peregrines". After news had been received of the fatal battle of Cannae, Matho and
Ordona economic decline began during the 4th Century BC. The construction of defensive walls during this period suggests a period of battles with other centres in the region, probably comprising clashes with the Greek Hegemonic Cities in the territory, among them neighbouring Taranto. It passed over to the Romans, with the rest of Apulia, after the wars of the Greek-Messapian League, commanded by King Pirro of Epiro (280-275 BC). Herdonia was a protagonist during the Second Punic War (219-202 BC) and in particular, during the events linked to the war's most famous battle at Cannae on 2 August 216 BC. According