Battle of Zama

After Trebbius, Trasimene and Cannae this was the big one. Hannibal had eighty elephants at the ready, foot-scraping and trumpeting for action. First of all Scipio captured Utica from Syphax in a strategic manoeuvre with the help of three Roman commanders, all called Lucian. The Romans also captured Tunis, a good harbour, advantageous for bringing in more troops and provisions. Hasdrubal knew the Romans had tricked the Carthaginians and were responsible for setting fire to the main Numidian camp at night. Some Numidians under Massimo had defected to the Roman side. This was starting to become a popular trend. The Romans had all the exits to the Numidian camp covered and killed those trying to escape, who were mostly naked as they hadn't time to get dressed and ran from the reed huts in blind panic. Many were burnt alive in the blaze. It was a scene of utter horror. In the aftermath, Rome negotiated a peace treaty with Carthage but shortly afterwards some Roman envoys were treacherously murdered at sea, so the peace was broken off and war resumed. The Romans later offered no concessions due to this. 2000 Celts assisted Hasdrubal at a place called Abba and although they fought bravely the Romans defeated them and killed most of them. The Carthaginians managed to capture a small fleet of roman ships off Tunis. This was reported by the historian, Livy. Roman soldiers were able to fight effectively as a single unit or as a team and could turn to face in any direction during the midst of battle. Very cohesive and formidable. Maniples in the van, then hastati and principes making up the bulk and triarii at the rear. The maniples swords were strong and the shields tall and long. Scipio decided to put together a special vanguard to counter and deflect the Carthaginian elephants. He had Numidian cavalry in his flanks and so did Hannibal but there was much rearranging of infantry in Scipio's wings. Hannibal had been recalled from his campaign in Italy to inspire the necessary confidence in his African units. Both sides knew they were now fighting for the rest of the world. There was much at stake. Zama was the most important battle of the century. This was the Punic D-Day. Fortune was a big player in both camps and both generals were aware of the fickleness of Fortune. The elephants attacked but panicked at the sounds of horns and bugles and the clashing of swords on shields. They stampeded in retreat, killing some Carthaginians. Some elephants were not deterred and stampeded the Romans as intended but they were driven off by a heavy javelin onslaught. The elephants ran off into the desert out of harms way. Then the main contingent of infantry went to battle and a fierce man to man battle ensued. Men were fighting amongst blood and gore and many discarded arms were strewn about the battlefield. Soldiers were slipping on entrails as they fought. The Romans lost 2000 and Hannibal lost 20,000 men. Afterwards, the Carthaginians were allowed to keep 10 ships as the only Roman concession. All elephants were confiscated. Many thousands of talents were paid to Rome in compensation and vast tracts of Africa were taken for the growing of corn. All of Numidia was returned to the king. Carthage was stripped of its colonies.