Scipio, Publius Cornelius (236–c. 183 BC)

Roman general whose tactical and strategic abilities turned the tide of the Second Punic War in 208–201 BC and established his reputation as one of Rome's greatest commanders. He defeated the Carthaginians in Spain in 210–206 BC and invaded Africa in 204 BC. At Zama in 202 BC he defeated the Carthaginian general Hannibal to win the war for Rome. He adopted the name ‘Africanus’ in recognition of the place of his greatest victory, but he felt that his achievements had not been sufficiently rewarded and retired to his villa embittered.

At the age of 18 Scipio served with his father (also called Publius) and saved his life at the River Ticinus in 218 BC. He probably also fought at the Battle of Trebia in 218 BC and was certainly at Cannae in 216 BC, which gave him the opportunity to observe Hannibal's tactics and attempt to work out a solution. Scipio learned from observing Hannibal that the only way to gain victory was to emulate his enemy's audacity and mobility, and use whatever means were necessary to gain the advantage. He recognized that the Roman army was too rigid, relying too heavily on infantry and fatally neglecting cavalry, a situation that made it unable to cope with the mobility and flanking manoeuvres used by Hannibal. He also advanced the use of scouts and reconnaissance patrols to gather as much military intelligence as possible, a practice that Hannibal had used to good advantage in Italy. In 211 BC he offered himself as a candidate in the election to find a new general in Spain, following the death of his father and uncle. He was elected unanimously, despite being too young to hold the office, and arrived in Spain with his first independent command. His campaign began with an audacious act. Learning that the Carthaginian armies were widely dispersed and not within ten days' march of their Spanish capital at Carthago Nova (New Carthage, present‐day Cartagena), he attacked and captured the city, achieving an immense propaganda victory. With the city came over 300 hostages that Carthage had taken from the Iberian nobility, and by restoring these to their tribes Scipio won over a large number of Carthage's old allies. He won control of Spain for Rome in two decisive battles, destroying the army of Hasdrubal Barca at Baecula in 208 BC and Ilipa in 206 BC. As a result Scipio was elected consul in 205 BC and used his influence to press for an invasion of Africa. Landing with an army near Utica, he defeated the Carthaginian and Numidian armies at an ambush near the Tower of Agathocles and in a night attack on their camps on the Bagradas River in 204 BC. At the Battle of the Great Plains in 203 he defeated the army of Hasdrubal Barca in a pitched battle. At Zama in 202 he defeated the army of Hannibal, thus securing Roman victory in the war and leading to the peace treaty that bore his name.