Battle of Zama
Near Zama, North Africa (exact site debated)
What happened
The Roman general Scipio Africanus, with his ally King Masinissa of Numidia and his officer Gaius Laelius, faced the Carthaginian general Hannibal Barca. Scipio invaded North Africa to threaten Carthage, so Hannibal was called home from Italy to defend it. At Zama, Hannibal sent war elephants charging first, but Scipio had left open lanes between his soldiers, and the elephants ran through the gaps or turned back, frightened by trumpets and shouting. The Roman and Numidian horsemen drove off the Carthaginian cavalry and came back to attack from behind, and Hannibal's army was defeated.
Why it matters
Result: Roman victory. Leaders: Publius Cornelius Scipio against Hannibal. Why it matters: It was the final battle of the Second Punic War, and it ended the war in Rome's favor. Scipio's new tactics, many learned from Hannibal himself, became standard for the Roman army as Rome went on to build its empire.
What came next
Hannibal told the Carthaginian senate the war was lost and advised them to ask for peace. Carthage had to pay Rome a heavy sum, and Hannibal served for a time as Carthage's chief magistrate.
Did you know?
The exact site is still debated. Many historians place it on a flat plain south of Sicca (modern El Kef), while others favor Zama Regia, today called Jama.
Timeline
- 209 BCEScipio captures Carthago Nova in Spain by crossing a lowered lagoon.
- 208 BCEScipio defeats Hannibal's brother Hasdrubal at Baecula.
- 205 BCEScipio invades North Africa and allies with King Masinissa.
- 202 BCEScipio defeats Hannibal at Zama, ending the Second Punic War.