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