Scipio Africanus
Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus was a Roman official during the Second Punic War. He defeated Hannibal at the Battle of Zama and was a champion of both Roman imperialism and the enlightened pro-Hellenic spirit of a new age.
Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus also known as Scipio Africanus, born in 236 BC was a general in the Second Punic War and statesman of the Roman Republic. Married to Aemilia, sister of Lucius Aemilius Paullus, and became the father of Cornelia, mother of the Gracchus brothers. He was first credited for saving his father at the Battle of the Ticinus, but is best known for his victory against Hannibal of Carthage at the Battle of Zama in the Second Punic War. Africanus retired to his country seat at Liternum on the coast of Campania and mysteriously died around 184 BC
Of both of Scipio’s campaigns, his campaign in Hispania was the earliest. In 211 BC, both Scipio’s father, Publius Scipio, and uncle, Gnaeus Cornelius Scipio Calvus, were killed in battle against Hannibal’s brother, Hasdrubal Barca. This inspired Scipio to volunteer to command the army that Rome was going to send to Hispania. When Scipio arrived in Hispania, most of it was under control of the Carthaginians. As the Carthaginians were occupied with revolts in Africa, Scipio was able to surprise and
capture the the headquarters of Carthaginian power in Hispania, the Carthago Nova. With this victory, he obtained many supplies as well as an excellent harbor. Scipio worked with local tribes in Hispania and gained supplies and reinforcements. In 209 BC, Scipio engaged in his first battle, the Battle of Baecula, were Scipio confronted Hasdrubal Barca, using his distinguished military tactics to drive him out of the land. After acquiring vast amounts of supplies and reinforcements from local Hispanian chiefs, Scipio converged on Ilipa, winning what is arguably Scipio’s most brilliant victory in his military career during the Second Punic War. This victory forced the Carthaginians to evacuate Hispania.
The Essay on Scipio Africanus: The Greatest Roman General
When trying to decide on the greatest roman general, there are a few outstanding candidates to put forward for nomination. Julius Caesar, Lucius Cornelius Sulla, Pompey the Great and Scipio Africanus are some generals who could all make a legitimate claim for this title. To properly judge who was the greatest, many different categories needed to be closely examined and also many elements are ...
Scipio’s most well known campaign was his latest campaign in Africa. Scipio wanted to bring the war to Africa, but the senate would only allow him to go as far as Sicily and did not grant him an army as they did not see it necessary to move into Africa. However, While in Sicily, Scipio raised and trained a volunteer army. Scipio began to turn Sicily into a military headquarters and staging point for his planned invasion of Africa. The Roman senate had not been keeping an eye on Sicily and was surprised to see that Scipio had acquired a well trained army and fleet. After the senate had seen what he was planning, Scipio pushed the senate to allow him to invade Africa. The senate opposed this idea at first, but later allowed him to continue on with his plan. In 204 BC, Scipio sailed and landed near Utica. Seeing that the Carthaginians had secured a relationship with the Numidians, Scipio abandoned the siege of Utica. Scipio later came
upon the Carthaginians and Numidians using stealth and setting fire to their camp, causing them to panic and flee. After Carthage had been completely deserted by their allies, Scipio met with Hannibal at the Battle of Zama, winning a decisive victory, and giving him the name “Africanus”
Scipio Africanus was a distinguished military leader as well as a politician. His promise to his father to dedicate his whole life to the punic war, and to defeat Hannibal was fulfilled because of his dedication, bravery and renowned military skills. His victorious campaigns through Hispania and Africa have earned him a place in history, to be known as one of the greatest military leaders of his age.
