by Captain Basil Henry Liddell Hart

Scipio Africanus (236-183 B.C.) was one of the most exciting and dynamic leaders in history. As commander he never lost a battle. Yet it is his adversary, Hannibal, who has lived on in public memory, due mostly to his daring march through the Alps with his elephants. At the Battle of the Ticinus, Hannibal's inital encounter with Roman arms, young Scipio first tasted warfare, rescuing his dangerously wounded, encircled father, who was also the Roman commander. By nineteen Scipio was the equivalent of a staff colonel and in 210 B.C., he was placed in supreme command. In three years he destroyed Carthaginian power in Spain and after being made consul, took his forces to Africa where he conquered Carthage's great ally, Syphax. Two years later he clashed with Hannibal hinself, annihilating his army in the decisive Battle of Zama. For this triumph and his other exploits in the Punic Wars, Scipio was awarded the title Africanus.