Scipio Africanus

Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus (Latin: [ˈskiːpioː]; 236/235–c. 183 BC) was a Roman general and statesman who was one of the main architects of Rome's victory against Carthage in the Second Punic War. Often regarded as one of the greatest military commanders and strategists of all time, his crowning achievement was the defeat of Hannibal at the Battle of Zama in 202 BC, which earned him the honorific epithet Africanus ("the African").

Born into a distinguished patrician family in Rome, Scipio followed his father Publius Scipio to war against Carthage, and survived the disastrous Roman defeat at Cannae. In 210 BC, despite never having held consular office, he was elected to take command of Rome's forces in Hispania, following the death of his father and uncle in battle. His campaign culminated in the victory at Ilipa in 206 BC against Hannibal's brother Mago Barca, leading to the Roman conquest of Carthaginian Iberia. Elected consul in 205 BC, Scipio launched an invasion of the Carthaginian homeland in Africa, compelling the Carthaginians to recall Hannibal. Following failed negotiations, Scipio routed Hannibal's army at Zama, forcing Carthage to sue for peace and bringing to an end the Second Punic War.

Despite his triumphs and heroic status among the Roman public, Scipio had many political opponents, in particular Cato the Elder. In 187 BC, Scipio and his brother Lucius were subjected to trials for bribes they supposedly received from the Seleucid king Antiochus III during the Roman–Seleucid War. Disillusioned, he left Rome and retired to his villa in Liternum, where he died circa 183 BC.