What was Scipio Africanus known for?

Scipio Africanus, also called Scipio Africanus the Elder, Latin Scipio Africanus Major, in full Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus, (born 236 bce—died 183 bce, Liternum, Campania [now Patria, Italy]), Roman general noted for his victory over the Carthaginian leader Hannibal in the great Battle of Zama (202 bce), ending …

Who was Scipio and what did he accomplish?

Scipio took up the mantle of military leadership and proved himself to be a gifted general and tactician. In 202 B.C., Scipio defeated Hannibal in the Battle of Zama and ended the Second Punic War. He died circa 183 B.C. in Liternum.

Why was Scipio named Africanus?

Scipio Africanus Major (l. 236-183 BCE) received his epithet due to his military victories in Africa which won the Second Punic War for Rome against Carthage. He is also known as Scipio the Elder.

What type of person was Scipio Africanus?

Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus (/ˈsɪpi.oʊ/, /ˈskɪp-/, Latin: [ˈskiːpioː]; 236/235–183 BC) was a Roman general and later consul who is often regarded as one of the best military commanders and strategists of all time. His main achievements were during the Second Punic War.

How did Scipio Africanus defeat Hannibal?

Hannibal Comes to Power Hasdrubal was assassinated in 221 BCE and the Carthaginian army elected Hannibal as their commander. In 219 BCE, Rome supported a coup in the city of Saguntum – in Carthaginian territory – and in 218 BCE Hannibal marched on the city and took it.

Where was Scipio Africanus born?

Rome, Italy
Scipio Africanus/Place of birth

Who was Scipio the Great?

Scipio lived from 236-186 BC and is considered one of the greatest generals in all of history. Upon his joining of the Roman army at an early age during the Second Punic War against Carthage and led by the brilliant Hannibal Barca, Scipio vowed that he would participate in the struggle until the end.

How do Hannibal and Scipio compare in military careers?

With that in mind, we are left to compare the broader outlines of the two commanders’ military careers. Scipio, great as he was, simply doesn’t rack up the points that Hannibal unarguably does. His landing in Africa carried none of the daring, logistical challenge, or psychological effect that Hannibal’s crossing of the Alps, for only one example.

How many armies did Scipio have to fight against?

Back in Spain, Scipio had only two armies to contend with, though by now they had combined forces. In 206 bc, with about 45,000 men—less than half of them well-disciplined legionnaires—Scipio marched against a Punic army nearly double that size, led by a different Hasdrubal and another of Hannibal’s brothers, Mago.

How did Scipio fight in the Second Punic War?

Scipio joined the Roman struggle against Carthage in the first year of the Second Punic War when his father was consul. During the Battle of Ticinus, he saved his father’s life by “charging the encircling force alone with reckless daring.”.