Battle of the Great Plains
Great Plains, Bagradas valley, Tunisia
What happened
A Roman army under Publius Cornelius Scipio, with the Numidian prince Masinissa, fought a Carthaginian and Numidian army under Hasdrubal Gisco and King Syphax. During the Second Punic War, Scipio had taken the fighting to Africa. Carthage gathered about 30,000 men on the Great Plains, and Scipio marched there fast, leaving his baggage behind. The Carthaginian and Numidian cavalry broke, and only a group of Iberian soldiers stood and fought before being defeated.
Why it matters
Why it matters: Scipio moved to Tunis, within sight of Carthage, and peace talks began. Carthage recalled Hannibal from Italy to defend the city.
What came next
Masinissa defeated and captured Syphax and took over his kingdom. Scipio then defeated Hannibal at Zama in 202 BCE, ending the war.
Did you know?
Masinissa went on to rule Numidia for 54 years and lived to about 90.
Timeline
- c. 238 BCEMasinissa is born.
- 203 BCERome wins on the Great Plains.
- 202 BCEScipio defeats Hannibal at Zama.
- 148 BCEMasinissa dies.