Rome\'s most able general?

[Severus]

It isn't comparable, IMO, because Hannibal at Zama had an army made up of a majority of raw recruits and demoralized troops from the two defeated Carthaginian armies sent to repel Scipio from the African coast. Hannibal's veterans in Italy and Hasdrubal's troops in Spain were the only battle-tested 'Carthaginian' troops. The Africans at Zama who were not mercenaries were mostly raw conscripts.

But from the accounts we have of the battle Hannibal's infantry gives as good as it gets against the Roman infantry. A Roman victory is very much in doubt until the cavalry returns to take the Carthaginians in the rear.

All of Rome's soldiers by that time were battle-tested. Adrian Goldsworthy says that when Scipio left Sicily he did so "at the head of superbly trained army backed by logistic support." (From "In the Name of Rome", probably the best book on individual Roman generals available today, btw)

Most of Scipio's logistical support was from his own planning and shrewd decisions once he touched down in Africa. From my perspective this is another master-stroke on Scipio's part. While other Romans (including Fabius Cunctator) were declaring the mission to Africa doomed to fail, Scipio was making it work through his own military genius. I have not read this one of Goldsworthy's books, but I will. I like his stuff.

So, until Scipio's invasion of Africa the Second Punic War was really one man's against Rome. Carthage wanted and played no part until Scipio invaded Africa.

While this may be true, it does nothing to diminish the accomplishments of Scipio. Who, after Spain, was stripped of his army and almost all support from the Republic.

Scipio's task was not as difficult as it may sound given that he was the most popular Roman of the day. He didn't need the Senate's support. (Contrast this with Hannibal who never received much needed support from his own Carthaginian Senate to finish off Rome.)

His popularity is part of his greatness as a commander.

That's the treachery I mentioned earlier. Scipio's cavalry were made up of Numidians. If King Masinissa of Numidia had not defected to Scipio Hannibal would almost surely have won at Zama. Hell, he still almost won. hock:

Scipio knew he had no chance to beat Hannibal without cavalry and set about binding Massinissa to himself. Again this shows the greatness of Scipio's foresight. One man's treachery is another mans shrewd planning

I am not trying to place Scipio higher up than Hannibal (but if you ask I'd say Scipio is the better general ). But Scipio's mind for planning, supply & logistics, tactical vision , and daring make him my choice for best Roman general.

Matt Webster