Scipio’s Strategic Mastery Saves Rome
Scipio’s capture of New Carthage changed the strategic picture and the course of the war. At a stroke, he secured ample supplies, as well as a great harbor and base for further operations. He then campaigned across Hispania, where he won a series of victories. By 206 BC, he had wrested all of Hispania from the Carthaginians. Scipio then returned to Rome as its most successful general to date, and was elected consul in 205 BC. By then, Hannibal was isolated in southern Italy, cutoff from supplies and reinforcements. Then Scipio transformed the war with another bold stroke. Rather than go after Hannibal in southern Italy, Scipio decided to go directly after Carthage. Scipio boldly took the war to the enemy’s homeland, and invaded North Africa in 204 BC.
The Carthaginians recalled Hannibal from Italy to lead their armies at home. That set the stage for a climactic showdown between Rome’s and Carthage’s greatest generals. At the Battle of Zama in 202 BC, Scipio won a decisive victory that ended the Second Punic War. He returned to Rome and a hero’s welcome. However, while he was widely celebrated and lionized by the general public, he was hated by fellow patricians. Jealous of his accomplishments, they resented his status as the Republic’s foremost warrior, and went about tearing him down. To sully his reputation, they persecuted him with trumped up charges of treason, bribery, and general corruption. The ingratitude left Scipio disillusioned and bitter, and he withdrew from public life. He retired to his estates in Campania, where he remained until his death in 183 BC.
