Publius Cornelius Scipio, later called Africanus, came from a prominent Roman family. As a young man he survived the disasters of the early Second Punic War, including Cannae.
Given command in Spain at a relatively young age, Scipio recaptured key cities such as Carthago Nova and systematically dismantled Carthaginian power there. His successes restored Roman morale and cut off Hannibal from vital resources.
Scipio then persuaded the Roman Senate to let him attack Carthageโs homeland. Landing in North Africa, he forced Carthage to recall Hannibal from Italy. In 202 BC, at the Battle of Zama, Scipio used flexible maniples and allied cavalry to blunt Hannibalโs elephants and break his line.
For this victory he was honored with the title Africanus. In later years, however, political rivalries and accusations overshadowed his career, and he withdrew from public life, famously saying that his ungrateful country could not understand his service.