Scipio Africanus (the Younger) summary

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Scipio Africanus (the Younger), or Scipio Aemilianus in full Publius Cornelius Scipio Aemilianus Africanus Numantinus, (born 185/184—died 129 bc, Rome), Roman general credited with the final subjugation of Carthage. He was the natural son of Paullus and the adoptive son of Publius Scipio, son of Scipio Africanus the Elder. Polybius instilled in him the ideals of honour, glory, and military success. He first distinguished himself in the Third Macedonian War (168). He then campaigned in Spain and went on to Africa (150), where he displayed great military skill against Carthage while serving as military tribune, and demand arose that he take the command against Carthage. Though under age, he was elected consul in 147 and returned to Africa. He besieged and destroyed Carthage (146), ending the Third Punic War and establishing the province of Africa. Again made consul in 134, he was given command of the Celtiberian War (see Celtiberia), and he secured Spain by besieging and destroying Numantia (133). Back in Rome, he took an unpopular position on a bill supported by his friend Tiberius Gracchus; he was due to speak on the question when he died unexpectedly.

army Summary

Army, a large organized armed force trained for war, especially on land. The term may be applied to a large unit organized for independent action, or it may be applied to a nation’s or ruler’s complete military organization for land warfare. Throughout history, the character and organization of

The western Mediterranean during the Punic Wars

Punic Wars Summary

Punic Wars, (264–146 bce), a series of three wars between the Roman Republic and the Carthaginian (Punic) empire, resulting in the destruction of Carthage, the enslavement of its population, and Roman hegemony over the western Mediterranean. The origin of these conflicts is to be found in the

war Summary

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government Summary

Government, the political system by which a country or community is administered and regulated. Most of the key words commonly used to describe governments—words such as monarchy, oligarchy, and democracy—are of Greek or Roman origin. They have been current for more than 2,000 years and have not