“He with Olympias, this with her who bore Scipio, the height of Rome” – Paradise Lost

Back in 218 BC when the Romans and Hannibal fought for the first time at Ticinus, Rome’s finest commander Publius Scipio found himself abandoned by his own men and surrounded by a throng of enemy spears. He may have breathed his last here were it not for his teenage son (also named Scipio) who led a daring cavalry charge that broke the enemy pocket. That day the 17 year-old saved his father’s life.

However, this day still ended in terrible fortune for Rome. Ticinus became the first of several devastating setbacks of catastrophic proportions that would forever define Scipio’s life.

Publius Scipio, named after his father, was born in 236 BC during the intermittent period between the First and Second Punic wars. The Scipio’s were a well-connected family with a history of deep immersion and influence in the Roman Political sphere. His grandfather, father and uncle all served as Consul, Rome’s highest office. Scipio’s father led the Roman military campaign against Hannibal’s invasion in Northern Italy. One might argue therefore that fate and chance conspired to shape Scipio’s road to eternal glory.

An unsteady peace shaped Scipio’s formative years. And then war came calling during as he entered his late teens. Given Scipio’s lineage, a career of military service always lay before him. But neither father nor son ever expected the terrible events of this precise war to carry such extraordinary influence over their respective destinies.

And yet while Scipio’s military service seemed predetermined, historical record reports that Scipio took naturally to the strength, discipline, courage and wisdom required of a future commander. And as the war with Hannibal unfolded Scipio discovered he would need to rely on those traits sooner than expected.

Examples of the teenage Scipio comporting himself with supreme bravery under tremendous pressure are present throughout the war. Such as when he came to the aid of his father at Ticinus. And then two years later the 19-year-old prodigy served in a Roman unit at the battle of Cannae. Scipio is one of the lucky few who survived the deadliest day in Roman history. Ancient sources state that after the calamity Scipio rallied the remaining survivors and inspired them to rejoin the war effort. If this account holds true, it shows great potential in a teenager to showcase such tremendous resolve after witnessing the destruction of a 90,000 man army.

As Hannibal’s war in Italy continued it was Scipio’s talent, beyond his coveted family name, that impressed the army. Scipio climbed the ranks so quickly he often held positions unheard of for someone his age. Scipio’s rise in the Roman military in many ways mirrors Hannibal’s ascent in his own army. Scipio’s father is the reason he pursues a life of military service, just like Hannibal. And similar to Hannibal, Scipio exhibited an unusual brilliance and capability to which many took immediate notice.

Scipio grew up among a generation of future Roman commanders who watched the best generals of their day meet disastrous ends before Hannibal time and again. Scipio understood that Hannibal had forever changed the rules of warfare. And while Rome’s best and finest continued to flounder, Scipio took note. He dutifully studied Hannibal’s unorthodox methods, his creativity, improvisation and speed. Scipio came to recognize that the path to defeating Rome’s greatest enemy would require changing the rule book as Hannibal himself once did.

While Scipio the younger shaped his military career, his father and Uncle battled with Hannibal’s brothers for control of Spain. Hasdrubal and Mago spent years trying to outmaneuver the elder Scipio brothers. But the Scipio’s succeeded in halting the Barcas efforts to spread their influence in Spain. The Scipio’s also blocked any attempt from either brother to cross the Alps and reinforce Hannibal.

This clash of rival families lasted from 218 BC to 211 BC. However misfortune befell the Scipios. In 211 both brothers were defeated and killed in battle. How terrible it must have been for the young Scipio to receive such tragic news.

While the situation in Spain spiraled against Rome, the Scipio’s success in keeping the Barca’s separated form Hannibal contributed enormously to the war. During those 7 years, Rome managed to wear down Hannibal on the homeland. The gained complete control of the seas and they established a vital foothold in Sicily after capturing the city of Syracuse.

So many Roman generals both skilled and unskilled have perished at the hands of Hannibal. No Roman leader has dealt Hannibal a serious setback. It’s been almost 10 years and still the Roman’s seem incapable of solving the Hannibal riddle. But history proves time and again then eventually every action is met with a reaction.

For years Robert E. Lee appeared all but invincible during the American Civil War. But he me his match eventually and his ultimate defeat to Ulysses S. Grant. After Napoleon spent 20 years building an empire and humiliating Europe’s finest generals, the french emperor lost everything in the end to Arthur Wellesley, the Duke of Wellington.

Now in 210 BC Scipio makes the case before the Roman Senate to be put in charge of the entire Roman war effort. This despite the fact that at 25 years of age, he’s not yet old enough to hold public office. Scipio does not hide his desire to inflict a swift and serious revenge against the Barca family for the death of his Father and Uncle. But bestowing command to an untested youth would be a huge gamble. And yet Rome’s hands are tied. There is simply no one else to appoint. So in 210 BC, Rome appoints Scipio to the title of Proconsul. But at 25, he’s too young to receive direct appointment so the senate instead puts Scipio through a public election. Romans vote in favor of Scipio’s appointment. The unproven Scipio now holds the future of Rome in his hands.

At this time of Scipio’s appointment Rome has Hannibal fairly contained in southern Italy. So instead of confronting Hannibal, Scipio’s first move as commander is to vanquish the other Barca’s. He takes an army and sails to Iberia.

Scipio is a master of the school of Hannibal. When he lands in Spain he does not seek a confrontation with the Barca’s. Instead he spends every moment he can ingratiating himself into Iberian culture. He takes a leaf from Hannibal’s book of diplomacy and artfully crafts alliances with much of the Spanish populations. He gathers as much information as he can about every detail of the region. He intends to use speed, surprise, and misdirection to fight his enemies. His new allies recognize the innate genius in this budding Roman general. Many flock to his side.

Instead of plunging headfirst into battle, Scipio chooses instead to sever the brothers from their supply depots. In 209 BC, when Hasdrubal and Mago learn of Scipio’s arrival they prepare for battle far from the coast. Scipio ignores their invitation and instead captures the city of New Carthage. The city is a vital port city on the Spanish coast. It fuels the entire war effort for Carthage. Scipio has just denied the Barca Brothers reinforcements of men and supplies from Carthage.

The news of Scipio’s conquest of New Carthage astonishes the Barca brothers. They severely underestimated this young, untested Roman. They never dreamed New Carthage could be a target and so they had kept it lightly defended. That decision cost them dearly. Scipio scores an impressive victory to kick start his command and it’s the first of many to come.

The fall of New Carthage causes a momentum shift toward the Romans. They were now winning on all fronts. Hannibal is still alive but has nowhere to go. Sicily and the seas belong to Rome, and Hasdrubal and Mago are reeling from the humiliation dealt by Scipio’s unexpected victory.

Hasdrubal realizes he needs to dislodge Scipio and fast to regain momentum. He puts his army on the move and before long they’re in position to attack Scipio’s forces. Hasdrubal does not match Hannibal in skill but he’s still a formidable opponent. He’s an experienced veteran who ultimately defeated Scipio’s Uncle, ensuring his demise. But the young Scipio is unperturbed. He accepts Hasdrubal’s challenge, determined to prove himself and avenge his family.

In 208 BC, the armies collide at the Battle of Baecula and once again Hasdrubal misjudges his opponent. Scipio pushes Hasdrubal’s men out of position through sneaky tactics that would make Hannibal proud. The battle ends in defeat for Hasdrubal who pulls away in retreat.

After the battle Hasdrubal makes an unusual move that surprises the Romans. Instead of preparing for another fight with Scipio he takes his army and dashes north toward the Alps. In 207 Hasdrubal and his army abandons Iberia and crosses over into Italy. Historical accounts aren’t sure when, or why Hasdrubal made this decision and if his recent loss to Scipio contributed.

When word reaches Scipio of Hasdrubal’s speedy departure he opts to stay in Iberia because Hannibal’s youngest brother Mago still commands a force there. That and another Carthaginian army just arrived under the command of Hanno. Many Romans are not happy with Scipio’s decision to let Hasdrubal go. But he points out that Spain is more important than the home front and Italy is well protected with vastly superior numbers. Scipio asserts that he will remain in Spain until he’s finished off the rest of the Carthaginian armies encamped there.

Meantime Hasdrubal marches over the Alps at breakneck speed. He easily surpasses the time it took Hannibal to cross one decade prior. When Hasdrubal emerges from the mountains Rome plunges into another panic. The great fear they hoped would never come to pass has happened. There is now another Barca brother in Italy. This reaction shows the considerable reputation Hannibal has built for himself.

Rome concludes that it must keep the brothers apart at all costs. They arrange for this separation by sending an army north to block Hasdrubal’s entry and another south to keep Hannibal from linking with Hasdrubal.

As a testament to the number of people Rome can mine to field new armies, there are now 4-5 times as many active Roman soldiers as there were when Hannibal invaded 11 years ago.

News reaches Hannibal that his brother has come to Italy. But as he attempts a quick advance north he finds his path barricaded by the Roman force sent to keep him from his brother. Nero commands this Roman force. He has no issue containing Hannibal for now but he decides that he wants to do more than babysit the Carthaginian. Inspired by his adversaries, he makes a sudden decision to trick Hannibal and defeat Hasdrubal. When night covers the sky, Nero begins quietly marching his army north. But before leaving he orders a minor contingent to stay back. Using ruse and deception, he has this small fore spread themselves out to create for Hannibal the illusion that his full army is still present.

Nero’s bold strategy works to perfection. When the sun rises the following morning Nero is miles away and Hannibal is none the wiser. This marks the first time Hannibal falls for a trap laid by his opponents in a style remarkably similar to what Hannibal himself would execute.

Nero races north and he successfully joins up with the other Roman army tracking Hasdrubal. Realizing that his brother is nowhere in sight, and that he now faces two Roman armies Hasdrubal panics and tries to flee. But then it dawns on him that there is nowhere to run. The combined Roman forces are on his tail and they back him up against a river. Hasdrubal is trapped. He now faces two options: fight or die.

The Roman commanders facing him are part of a new generation who, like Scipio, have reformed their approach to battle after studying Hannibal. When Hasdrubal unleashes his war elephants the Romans confuse the thundering beasts. They turn around and charge in the opposite direction, trampling gobs of Carthaginians. The Romans outsmart Hasdrubal at every turn and before long they surround the invaders. The Romans show no mercy. They mow down every man until none are standing. When the Romans sheath their swords Hasdrubal’s body lies among a field of the dead. The Romans rejoice. One Barca brother is out of the game.

In the end, Hasdrubal was a fine general, but he does not compare to Hannibal. Nero relishes in the irony of using Hannibal’s own methods to vanquish his brother. And Hannibal still has not uncovered the ruse Nero played on him.

With Hasdrubal gone, Rome’s next move is to attack Hannibal’s spirit. Nero departs the battlefield with Hasdrubal’s head and makes his way back to his camp in southern Italy. When Nero arrives he catapults the head of Hasdrubal into Hannibal’s camp. The Carthaginians deliver it to Hannibal. The sight of his brother’s head no doubt aggrieves Hannibal. He hasn’t seen his brother in more than a decade.

It also probably dawns on him how cleverly and effectively the Romans deceived him. By now Hannibal realizes that his war is truly lost. He knows that eventually he’ll have to abandon Italy. He thinks of all that he’s achieved on his own. He’s made a legend of himself. He had already cemented his name in the annuls of history by the time he turned 31. And yet, he recognizes that he’ll spend the rest of his days knowing that in the end… he lost.

Perhaps he considers the haunting words of his officer who, after choosing not to assault Rome, told him, “you can win a battle, but you don’t know how to win a war.” And yet, to showcase his determination and will, he will hold out in Italy for another 4 years.

Continued in Part 11…

Timeline

211 BC – The Barca brothers defeat the Scipio’s in Spain

210 BC – Scipio Africanus becomes Proconsul

210 BC – Scipio invades Spain

209 BC – Scipio captures New Carthage

208 BC – Scipio defeats Hasdrubal at the Battle of Baecula

208 BC – Hasdrubal Abandons Spain, crosses into Northern Italy

207 BC – Hasdrubal is defeated and killed in the Battle of Metaurus

If you want to learn more about Scipio Africanus and the 2nd Punic War then please read Scipio Africanus: The First Imperator by Dexter Hoyos

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