Catalonia was in a key location for communications and movement between the south of Hispania (where the Carthaginian bases were) and the north of the peninsula, close to Rome. This allowed Hannibal to advance towards Italy after crossing the Alps, following some victories in the Iberian Peninsula.

Hannibal, after the defeat of Hasdrubal and initial successes in Hispania, used this area as a base of operations for his invasion of Italy. Indeed, Hannibal crossed the Ebro River and continued towards the north of the peninsula, where the local tribes helped him, and he was able to advance his campaign towards Rome.