Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus: The Second Punic War
Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus Scipio was born in 236 B.C. in Liternum, Campania. He is born into the Scipio family, which is a famous and one of the great patrician families in Rome. Scipio’s father, grandfather, and great-grandfather had all been consuls. The greatest influence on his life is the second Punic War. Scipio had his greatest developments during this war, and he would eventually save the Roman Republic from the Carthaginians. His first major battle was when his father, also Publius Scipio, was ambushed by Hannibal Barca. Livy records that while his father was wounded and surrounded by the enemy, Scipio dashed in and saved his father. Scipio was arguably the greatest general Rome ever had, and he has Hannibal to thank
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Scipio’s most famous battle in Spain, is the siege of New Carthage in 209 B.C. However his other battles are still worth noting. Scipio was able to outwit the three Carthaginian armies in Spain, with his single army, and gain an alliance with the native Spanish tribes against the Punics. Scipio was voted consul in 205 B.C. and he launched his African Campaign. He defeated Hannibal at Zama in 202 B.C. making a decisive Roman victory in the second Punic War. Scipio was voted censor in 199 B.C. and second consulship in 194 B.C. He joined his brother in Asia Minor for a final Campaign. He married Aemilia Paulla, and had three children, Publius, Lucius, and Cornilia. Scipio died of old age in his villa at Liternum, Campania in 184 B.C. Scipio is remarked as one of Romes greatest and noblest generals. There are two well-known tales about him that are likely told to set an example of how Roman generals should act. The other senators were not in favor of Scipio by the end of his death, and he is reported to have called Rome and ungrateful city. Scipio still sits under the shadow of Hannibal, who the Romans will never forget. He is also not as famous as Julius Caesar, or Pompey the great. However he will always be known as the savior of the Roman people, during their darkest
Scipio’s most famous battle in Spain, is the siege of New Carthage in 209 B.C. However his other battles are still worth noting. Scipio was able to outwit the three Carthaginian armies in Spain, with his single army, and gain an alliance with the native Spanish tribes against the Punics. Scipio was voted consul in 205 B.C. and he launched his African Campaign. He defeated Hannibal at Zama in 202 B.C. making a decisive Roman victory in the second Punic War. Scipio was voted censor in 199 B.C. and second consulship in 194 B.C. He joined his brother in Asia Minor for a final Campaign. He married Aemilia Paulla, and had three children, Publius, Lucius, and Cornilia. Scipio died of old age in his villa at Liternum, Campania in 184 B.C. Scipio is remarked as one of Romes greatest and noblest generals. There are two well-known tales about him that are likely told to set an example of how Roman generals should act. The other senators were not in favor of Scipio by the end of his death, and he is reported to have called Rome and ungrateful city. Scipio still sits under the shadow of Hannibal, who the Romans will never forget. He is also not as famous as Julius Caesar, or Pompey the great. However he will always be known as the savior of the Roman people, during their darkest