Rise Of Scipio And Fall Of New Carthage

[Guest Scanderbeg]

Based on online reading (UNRV.com and barca.fsnet.co.uk), personal knowledge and The Punic Wars by Goldsworthy.

 

 

"You will in actuality attack the walls of a single city, but in that city you will have made yourselves masters of Spain" Scipio Africanus (Livy)

 

Rise of Scipio

 

After the disaster that had struck the Romans, under the command of the Scipio's, in 211 in Spain the remaining Roman armies had dispersed north of the Ebro. Under the command of Lucius Marcius, the self-appointed "propreator", the Carthagenians suffered minor defeats. But lacking in men and supplies he was no longer a threat to them and they set their attentions to the rebel areas of Spain where opposition to Carthaginian control had been pretty deep. The senate, offended by this "self entitlement" by Marcius, had recalled him and replaced him with Nero (victor at Metaurus). After some short and minor victories in Spain, Nero was called back to carry on the war in Italy and was replaced by the younger Scipio.

 

Publius Cornelius Scipio (later added 'Africanus') took command of the war in Spain and was given the proconsul 'imperium'. While he was young, 25 when given control of the Spanish campaign, Scipio was not new to warfare. He is believed to have distinguished himself at the Battle of Ticinus River when he rushed in the middle of the heat of battle to help his wounded father. However there is a contradictory story saying that his father was saved by his Ligurian slave. Scipio's story became the popular one no doubt due to his already beloved character. He was supposed to have also been a tribune at Tresemino and Cannae. A story of how he rallied routing Roman soldiers, organized them and led them back to battle at the famous battle had made him a favored character in Rome. Although evidence is weak it is assumed that he was present in some of the skirmish battles against Hannibal. He was now also the oldest man and heir to one of the most powerful families of Rome, the Cornelii family. Goldsworthy mentions Scipio as:

 

"One of the most charismatic figures produced by the Romans during the Punic Wars. In many respects he conformed to the ideal of heroism since Alexander the Great."

 

 

This unprecedented event has perplexed historians for a while. It was a unanimous decision, however completely out of the ordinary. Scipio had not held any major magistracies before hand being to young to have held a preatorship or consulship in the past. He had been a curule aedile in 213 but this was a minor role. Livy mentioned how a comitia centuriata for a vote on the next general willing to continue the campaign in Spain was held but nobody was said to have wanted control of the foreign war until Scipio stepped up and was unanimously picked. This is a very strange occurrence as pro-magistracies were not elected but picked by the senate. It is very likely that the intentions of Scipio were already aware in the closed senatorial world and this move was made to completely legalize it. There have been many attempts to try and understand this event. Goldsworthy was not one favoring any speculations. Putting it as:

 

"Attempts to understand the incident in terms of factional politics once again fail to convince and rely on far too many unjustified assumptions about the 'policies' of different families."

 

 

Command in Spain was not all that popular with the people of Rome. It was a foreign land where shortage of supply was common and you faced massive armies. Something the past Scipio

[Guest Scanderbeg]

By the way guys. Sorry if there are spelling errors etc. I spent a lot of time writing it and now im worn out.

[Primus Pilus]

Wonderfully done Scanderbeg. I must concur that the rise of Scipio from familial heir to Consul and commander of the Roman armies in Spain is perplexing as well. It almost harkens to the late Republic/imperial period where heirs truly rose to the top based on family tradition rather than individual accomplishment. It didn't seem to stick (and perhaps his rise is why Cato the Elder hated him so much after the war was over) but I suppose it did set a very early and often ignored precedent.

[Guest Scanderbeg]

Thanks Primus. There were actually quiet some contradicting info in all the sources. For instance your and barca say Scipio did it to deter Mago's efforts to keep the fight going. While Goldsworthy stated that it was done AFTER Mago gave in in a show of Roman force

[Primus Pilus]

There were actually quiet some contradicting info in all the sources. For instance your and barca say Scipio did it to deter Mago's efforts to keep the fight going. While Goldsworthy stated that it was done AFTER Mago gave in in a show of Roman force

The entire fair is strange and perhaps is just an indication of the volatility of war, both on the battlefield and in the political arean. Scipio is often underrated, but, we must give hgim credit for conquering Hispania after his predecessors had been nearly bounced by Mago.

[Guest Scanderbeg]

It almost harkens to the late Republic/imperial period where heirs truly rose to the top based on family tradition rather than individual accomplishment.

 

 

Goes to show the desparate situation that Rome was in at the time.

[Guest Scanderbeg]

Anyway guys. Those who read it tell me what you think. Ill do some more on Baecula, Ilipa and Africa later

[Hamilcar Barca]

Nice work Scanderberg, as a religous fanatic of all the the Punic War campagins I thouroughly enjoyed your retelling of Carthago Nova. I always did like this story and do indeed think it is a great example of Scipio's charismatic persona and leadership. Carthago Nova also serves as one of the most famous examples of when the Rampart Crown Corona Vallaris, (the decoration earned by the first man to scale an enemy fortification) was awarded. In this case, Scipio had claims from both the legions and the fleet that one of their men had been the first to scale the walls. Ultimately Scipio awarded both men the crown.

[Guest Scanderbeg]

yea, I remember that also occuring in during the Gallic Wars. I don't remember when or who the men were.

[P.Clodius]

I love Scipio and yours is a valued contibution Skanderbeg. Please more, more.......!

[Guest Scanderbeg]

Revised and redited.

[Primus Pilus]

We want as many people as possible to appreciate Scanderbeg's work, so we're going to give it a home along with our own section on the Second Punic War

[Guest Scanderbeg]

The next thing Ill do is the end of the war. I could probably fit that in a nice lump sum.