Scipio Africanus

For the successful slave who became a businessman, see George Africanus.

Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus (236–183 BC) was a general in the Second Punic War and a politician of the Roman Republic. He was best known for defeating Hannibal of Carthage.

Publius Cornelius Scipio
Roman bronze bust of Scipio Africanus the Elder from the National Archaeological Museum, Naples (Inv. No. 5634), dated mid-first century BC Excavated from the Villa of the Papyri at Herculaneum by Karl Jakob Weber, 1750–65.
Consul of the Roman Republic
In office 1 January 205 BC – 1 January 204 BC Serving with P. Licinius Crassus Dives
Preceded by	Q. Caecilius Metellus and L. Venturius Philo
Succeeded by	M. Cornelius Cethegus and P. Sempronius Tuditanus
In office 1 January 194 BC – 1 January 193 BC Serving with Ti. Sempronius Longus
Preceded by	M. Porcius Cato and L. Valerius Flaccus
Succeeded by	L. Cornelius Merula and Q. Minucius Thermus
Personal details
Born	236 BC Rome, Italy, Roman Republic
Died	183 BC (aged 53) Liternum, Roman Republic
Spouse(s)	Aemilia Tertia
Children	Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus (priest), Lucius Cornelius Scipio (praetor), Cornelia Africana Major, Cornelia Africana
Military service
Allegiance	Roman Republic
Rank	Proconsul
Battles/wars	Second Punic War Battle of Ticinus Battle of the Trebia Battle of Cannae Battle of Cartagena Battle of Baecula Battle of Ilipa Battle of Utica Battle of the Great Plains Battle of Zama Roman–Seleucid War Battle of Magnesia

Scipio won the battle of Zama in North Africa. He got the last name Africanus and became known as one of the best commanders in military history. The battle was a complete disaster for Carthage, who had to beg for peace, and were given humiliating terms by Rome.