Battle of Ilipa
Near Alcalá del Río, north of Seville, Andalusia, Spain
What happened
A Roman army under Publius Cornelius Scipio (later called Scipio Africanus) fought the Carthaginian army of Hasdrubal Gisco and Mago Barca. During the Second Punic War, Rome and Carthage fought for control of Spain. After facing each other for several days, Scipio changed his battle formation and attacked at dawn, catching many Carthaginians unprepared. Roman light troops panicked the Carthaginian war elephants, and the Carthaginian army broke; its generals escaped to Gades (Cádiz).
Why it matters
Why it matters: It effectively ended Carthaginian control of Spain. Carthage lost a major source of silver and soldiers, and could no longer invade Italy by land from Spain.
What came next
Scipio returned to Rome and was elected consul in 205 BCE. He then took the war to Africa and defeated Hannibal at Zama in 202 BCE.
Did you know?
Scipio was given the title 'Africanus', meaning 'the African', for his victories over Carthage.
Timeline
- 209 BCEScipio captures Carthago Nova (Cartagena).
- 208 BCEScipio fights Hasdrubal Barca at Baecula.
- Spring 206 BCEScipio wins at Ilipa.
- 205 BCEScipio is elected consul.
- 202 BCEScipio defeats Hannibal at Zama.