Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus (236-183 BCE) had a fascinating life. Scipio’s youth was marked by one of the most traumatic events in Rome’s history – the invasion of Italy by Hannibal Barca. An eyewitness to the massacre at Cannae, Scipio spent the following years studying his nemesis – Hannibal – in order to eventually outwit the master-tactician. [...]For many PaleoJudaica posts on Hannibal Barca, see the links collected here. As the article says, Hannibal receives much more attention that Scipio, but I have mentioned the latter now and again.
For the disastrous Roman defeat by Hannibal at the Battle of Cannae, see that same link.
Scipio's conquest of Cathago Nova in Spain turned the tide in favor of the Romans. This city survives today with the name Cartagena. The modern city makes full use of the archaeological and tourism potential of its Punic history, not least in its annual Romans and Carthaginians Festival in September. More recently, see here, here, and here.
Scipio went on to defeat the Carthaginians decisively at the Battle of Zama.
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