Though the failure of the southern Italian cities to rebel against Rome and join the Carthaginian cause put an end to Hannibal's original war plan it did not necessarily mean Hannibal's defeat. A new strategy was now required. Hannibal needed reinforcements to counter the loss of his expected allied troops. If he had been able to compensate for this loss, he might have still prevailed over Rome. The second crossing of The Alps by Hasdrubal receives less attention than the first, but it too presented a mortal threat to Rome. With Hasdrubal in The Po Valley in the spring of 207 and Hannibal in Appulia, Rome was caught in a classic pincer movement between hostile armies to the north and the south which was a position more dangerous than the original invasion. Rome was only saved from destruction by her fast action and superior command. Men like Marcus Livius Salinator, Lucius Porcius Licinus, and the hero Caius Claudius Nero. literally saved Rome by destroying Hasdrubal while at the same time containing Hannibal. The pincers were broken. There was still hope for Hannibal when Mago again attempted to provide reinforcements by sea at Genoa in 205.Once again, with 4 legions, Publius Quictilius Varus and Marcus Cornelius Cethegus made quick work of Mago and avoided a second attempt at a pincer movement. It is much more likely that Hannibal's invasion of Italy was rendered untenable by Rome's counterattack on Carthage which was imminent in 205 when Hannibal was called back to defend his homeland. By changing the focus of the war and persuading Rome to attack rather than defend, Publius Cornelius Scipio at once removed Rome from its present danger and set in motion the Roman victory over Carthage. Rome had defended herself with such heroism as to earn everlasting admiration, now, under Scipio Africanus, she would learn to conquer nations. Hannibal's chances were over when Scipio began to mount the invasion of Carthage in Sicily. Until that time, there had always been a chance. After Scipio, no chance for Hannibal remained.