Scipio Africanous

SCIPIO Africanus

236 - 184 BC

Roman General

Publius Cornelius Scipio, The Elder, was a Roman general who fought the

Carthagian armies in Spain and defeated them. Then he invaded Africa from Sicily.

This act caused Hannibal to leave Italy and return to Africa to fight Scipio. In 202 BC

Scipio defeated Hannibal at Zama. Carthage capitulated and had to surrender her

war fleet. For his victory in North Africa Scipio was called Africanus Major.

Until the rise of Julius Caesar, Scipio Africanus was Rome's greatest general. His

resume is impressive:

216 B.C.- Tribune at Battle of Cannae

213 B.C.- Aedile

210-206 B.C.- Commander of Roman forces in Spain

206 B.C.- Defeated Cathaginians at Battle of Ilipa

205 B.C.- Consul

202 B.C.- Defeated Hannibal at the Battle of Zama (ending the 2nd Punic War)

201 B.C.- Senate confers on him the name "Africanus" in Honor of his

conquering of Africa

199 B.C.- Titular head of the Roman sensate and censor

190 B.C.- With brother Lucius Cornelius, victorious at Battle of Magnesia

Utilizing strict discipline and constant training, Scipio molded the Roman army into a

finely tuned instrument capable of extending