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AQA Classical Civilization revision - The second Punic war.
The battle of Zama 201 BC
The Second Punic war - Why is it important.
This war went a long way in determining the key power in the Mediterranean
world; Rome or Carthage.
It also highlighted the strengths and weakness of Rome’s senatorial system of
governments against a cunning enemy.
Why it was unique at the time (according to Livy, book XXI)
1. “Fought between peoples unrivalled throughout previous history in material
resources.”
2. “A struggle between old antagonists.. Whom had learned, in the First Punic
War to appreciate the military capabilities of the other.”
3. “Eventual victors came nearer to destruction than their adversaries.”
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Maps
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Timeline (Dates given by Livy, only includes events from books that are required to
read)
xxi.

219BC - Seige of Saguntum
 218BC - Capture of Saguntum

Declaration of war
 Hannibal sets out from New Carthage.
 The revolt of the Boii
 P. Cornelius Scipio reaches Massilia
 Hannibal crosses the Rhone
 Hannibal crosses the Alps
 Battle of R. Ticinus
 Roman victories in Sicily and Malta
 Battle of R. Trebia
 Hannibal crosses the Apennines
 Roman successes in Spain
xxii.
 217BC - Elections in Rome (Gnaeus Servilius and Flaminius as Consuls)
 Battle of Lake Trasimene
 Q. Fabius elected dictator
 Hannibal escapes from Campania - (cattle horns trick)
 Hannibal at Gereonium
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Minucius’ successes against Hannibal.
Fabius saves Minucius.
216BC - Elections in Rome (Varro and Paullus
Battle of Cannae
Delegation of Roman prisoners before Senate
Xxix.
 205BC - Scipio recruits men in Sicily
 The rebellion in Spain is put down
 Laelius raids African coast.
 Scipio recovers Locri / Pleminius atrocities
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204 BC - Elections in Rome
General peace in Greece
Taxation of the twelve seceding colonies ( Nepete, Sutrium, ardea, Narnia, Interamna,
Cales, Alba, Carseoli, Sora, Suessa, Setia, Circeii)
Locrian envoys come before the Senate.
Pact between Syphax and Carthage.
Scipio crosses to Africa
Masinissa comes to join Scipio
Hannibal defeated near Croton
203 BC - Elections in Rome
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Xxx
 Burning of Carthaginian camp at Utica
 Syphax defeated at great plains
 Naval battle off Carthage
 Final defeat and capture of Syphax
 Masinissa enters Cirta and meets Sophonisba
 Sophonisba’s death
 Carthage asks for peace terms
 Mago defeated in N. Italy
 Mago and Hannibal recalled from Italy
 Carthage breaks armistice
 Death of Q. Fabius Maximus
 202BC - Elections in Rome
 Meeting between Hannibal and Scipio ?
 Battle of Zama
 Scipio receives envoys from Carthage.
Major causes of the war:
1. Carthaginian resentment at the unfair treaty after first Punic war.
2. Roman unease at the reversal of fortune for Carthage under Hamilcar Barca Carthaginian empire expanding in Spain.
3. Roman acquisition of Sicily after the 1st Punic war, after the treaty was signed. This
not only weakened Carthage economically and militarily, but also humiliated them -
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4.
5.
6.
caused them to find new riches in Spain.
The size and wealth of the two empires led to inevitable clashes.
Roman military and civil life was centred around empire building - meaning that it
could not stay passive for long.
Hannibal’s siege and capture of Saguntum - direct cause (breach of treaty as
Saguntum was Roman ally)
Major characters
SPQR - Rome
Quintus Fabius Maximus:
 Compared to Pericles by Plutarch - for defensive strategies
 Nicknamed Verrucosus because of small wart / Ovicula (Lambkin) because of
gentle nature
 In early life concentrated on physical fitness / fighting skill, and public speaking.
 Had five consulships
 Showed great respect to religios observances e.g. Was wary of strange happening
before battle of L. Trasimene
 Was elected dictator after Trasimene
 Blamed the defeat on the general’s (Flaminius) neglect of religious duties, not the
enemies skill.
 Was determined to not fight a pitched battle.
 Was initially despised in his own camp as he was regarded as a coward.
 Used his own money from the sale of some property to free Roman prisoners
 Saved his over-confident master of horse, Minucius, when he was surrounded by the
enemy.
 He warned the Consul Paulus to be wary of Varro before Cannae, as he saw the
mistake of a pitched battle with Hannibal.
 Became leader of the Romans after Cannae as the most trusted and senior statesman ensured that mourning was kept private for only thirty days, posted guards at the
gates to the city and cancelled the festival of Ceres to keep the morale of the
population as high as possible
 Was the commander during the capture of Tarentum - but slighted his reputation by
massacring the population and betraying the Bruttian traitors to conceal the fact the
city had been captured through treachery. He did leave the statues of the Gods though,
“Leave the Tarentines their angry Gods”.
 He stood in opposition of Scipio Africanus - party due to his naturally cautious nature,
but also to maintain his political power.
 Died befroe end of the war (203Bc)
Quotes
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“the product of superhuman powers of reasoning” - Plutarch
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“Fabius endured these vexations calmly, and without stress” - Plutarch
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“Fabius kept an equally careful watch upon both sides, upon his own side no less
than upon the enemy - Livy the war with Hannibal book XXII

“The Master of Horse stepped forward and addressed him as “Father””
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P.Cornelius Scipio Africanus
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Was born to one of the five great families of Rome.

Was married to Aemilia - daughter of Paullus (One of the
Consuls at Cannae)
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Was first seen at the Battle of Ticinus river, where he rescued his
wounded father (same name) from the Carthaginians.

Was a military tribune at Cannae in 216bc, and escaped to
Canusium with 4000 other survivors, prevented some men from
deserting through speeches and posting guards.

In 213 was elected Curule Aedile before the legal age limit “If
all the Roman people want to make me Aedile then I am old
enough” - Scipio

His father and Uncle where killed in Spain (211bc) Scipio went back to military
career.

In 210 he volunteered to go to Spain despite being a “Privatus” - Private citizen. This
was granted by the people and he went on to continue his father’s offensive
campaign.

In 209 he captured Cathago Nova. This was done when a lagoon protecting the
northern wall subsided - leading Scipio’s men to believe that the was helped by the
Gods. Carthago Nova was the centre of Carthaginian power in Spain - lots of
weapons and supplies were also taken.
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Defeated Hasdrubal Barca at Baecula in 208bc. Developed new tactics on the
battlefield.
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Continued to defeat two more Carthaginian armies at Ilipa in 206 bc - arguably his
most strategically genius victory.
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Captured Cadiz ( Latin = Gadez) removing Carthaginians from Spain.
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Became consul for 205 bc but decided to ignore Hannibal and his army in Italy. And
instead, despite opposition from the Senate, invaded Africa.
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In 204 he landed and besieged Utica.
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In early 203 he burned the camps of Hasdrubal and Syphax, defeated Syphax at battle
of great plains.
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Captured Tunis and made peace agreement with Carthage.
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In 202 bc, Crthage renewed the war, and Scipio destroyed Hannibal at battle of
Zama.
Quotes
 “This was the boy who was later to win the glory of splendid victory over Hannibal.”
Livy
 “With all the passion of my heart as shall never desert our country” - Scipio
 “the two greatest soldiers of their time” - Livy, on Scipio and Hannibal.
 “Scipio defeated Hannibal himself in a pitched battle and crushed the pride of
Carthage underfoot”- Plutarch.
Laelius
 Was a great friend of Scipio Africanus
 Was not born to a wealthy family but it is assumed he knew Scipio since childhood -
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was witness at battle of R. Ticinus.
 Went to Spain with Scipio
 Commanded the Roman troops that were allied with Massinissa when they overthrew
Syphax
 Commanded the Roman cavalry at Zama.
 Had no official post in Rome until after the war (could be because of family’s status /
wealth)
Marcellus
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His character and life is not explored much in the books by Livy and Plutarch needed
for the exam.
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He was a famous Roman General and Consul
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He was known as the”sword of Rome” to Fabius’ “shield”.
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His greatest victory was in Sicily, where he captured Syracuse.
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He decided to spare the people of Syracuse, but he took the statues of their Gods,
compared to Fabius who left them in Tarentum, but killed the people.
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He spread a lot of Greek influence - especially art to Rome.
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He died in battle at a skirmish outside Venusia, given a proper funeral by Hannibal.
Carthage
Hannibal Barca
 Son of Hamilcar Barca - Carthaginian general who conquered most of
Spain (According to Livy, he made Hannibal swear an oath of animosity
towards Rome when he was a boy)
 Spent most of his life in Spain with the military.
 Was elected military commander by his troops when Hasdrubal the fair
( Hannibal’s brother in Law, not brother) was assassinated.
 Besieged and captured Saguntum, began 2nd Punic war.
 Led his men, including 37 elephants across the Alps in order to surprise
the Romans quickly.
 Soundly defeated the Roman armies at Trebia, Trasimene and Cannae but could not
take Rome.
 Had control of most of Italy for 15 years before being ordered back to Africa to
defend Carthage from Scipio Africanus - defeated at the battle of Zama.
 Helped negotiate the peace terms.
Quotes
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
In very truth the gods bestow not on the same man all their gifts; you know how to
gain a victory, Hannibal: you know not how to use one. - Livy (Maharbal speaking to
Hannibal)
I will either find a way, or make one. - Latin proverb (attributed to Hannibals
response when told it was impossible to cross the Alps with Elephants)
Hasdrubal Barca
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Brother of Hannibal Barca.
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Commanded the Carthaginian forces in Iberia.
He also put down unrest in West Numidia, under King Syphax, after he signed a
treaty with Rome in 214 bc
Attempted to reinforce his brothers’ army in Italy by crossing the Alps, but was
intercepted by the Romans led by Marcus Livius Salinator, and Gaius Claudius Nero
after the crossing and defeated.
He was killed leading a charge against them.
Other personalities.
Masinissa

Originally on the side of Carthage against Rome.
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Defeated Syphax of Masaesylia - who had allied with Rome.

Was in charge of all the Carthaginian cavalry in Spain until the battle of
Ilerpa, where Scipio Africanus defeated all Carthaginian power in Iberia.
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After his fathers’ death, there was a struggle to the throne between
Masinissa and his brother. But Syphax saw an opportunity to invase and
took large parts of Numidia.
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After Ilerpa he realised Rome would win and defected to the Roman
cause - promising to assist Scipio in an invasion of Africa.
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Took part in the battle of the great plains which saw Hasdrubal and
Syphax defeated and then whilst Scipio continued on to Carthage, Masinissa and
Laelius followed Syphax to Cirta (his capital) and defeated his army again and with it
captured Syphax.
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Commanded the cavalry on the right wing of Scipio’s line in the battle of Zama.
Ended up being the deciding factor in the battle as he surrounded the Carthaginian
army.
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Was rewarded with Syphax’s kingdom and wife, Sophonisba. Masinissa gave her
poison to spare her the humiliation of attending the victory parade in Rome.
Syphax
 Was king of Masaesylia, rival of Numidia in Africa
 Originally supported Rome but was generally unsuccessful in hindering Carthaginian
aims.
 Demanded that Scipio himself come to ratify the treaty.
 Married Hasdrubal’s daughter Sophonisba, after Masinissa defected to Italy.
 Was initially successful in his alliance, forced Scipio to abandon the seige of Utica.
 After defeat of Bagrabades Syphax fled to his capital Cirta but was threatened with
desertion from his army. In a brave attempt to rally his men he charged alone towards
the Roman line, but his wounded horse threw him off and he was captured and
delivered to Masinissa.
COMPARING LIVY AND PLUTARCH
1. Plutarch tends to give a more detailed description of certain areas of Fabius’s life,
with little context.
2. Plutarch gives a more detailed insight into Fabius’s childhood and his motives for
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3.
4.
5.
6.
different actions, also compares people to historical figures e.g Fabius to Pericles
because of their similar tactics and resolution
Livy tends to give a more broad narrative, involving both the Roman and
Carthaginian senates.
Livy also is susceptible to “rambling” for example over religious ceremonies.
Because of his relative age compared to Plutarch, Livy portrays the Carthaginians in
a more negative light, perhaps because his grandparents / great grandparents may
have been around during the time of the war. I.e he describes the Roman “rage at the
unprovoked attack” - political hint to the statement.
Livy has more inaccuracies that Plutarch, for example calling Rome the “mightiest
city in the world” - which was true at his time but not in the 2nd Punic War.
LEGACY OF THE SECOND PUNIC WAR

Carthage was forced to sign another unfair treaty with Rome (restricting ships,
armies and most importantly outlawing any declaration of war without Roman
consent, even in self defence)

Mistrust of Carthage led by Cato the elder led to more anti - Carthaginian feelings in
Roman senate

The invasion of Carthage by Masinissa led to Hasdrubal declaring war - breaching
the treaty with Rome.

The third Punic War eventually led to the complete destruction of Carthage, which
has remained legendary in its scale and brutality.

Rome was left as the principal power in the Mediterranean world.
It is argued that the destruction left by Hannibal is still present in the 21st Century AD,
where certain areas of Southern Italy are still infertile for crops (not proven)
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