07-03-2019, 09:45 AM
Nick,
Let`s look at the strategic basics.
For what reason did Scipio march west along the Bagradas valley and to Narragara?
By ravaging the countryside, did Scipio simply intend to goad Hannibal into an engagement? To lure him into a major land battle in which Hannibal is at a numerical disadvantage in cavalry ? This was a point questioned by Dodge, and Hannibal`s actions, as they appear in Polybius and Livy are still questionable today. Would Hannibal really have made such a basic error as this?
It was much more than a simple goading I think; Scipio intended to; a) link up with Massinissa and b) prevent Vermina reinforcing Hannibal.
Taking the initiative, I think Scipio took up a central position which ensured both outcomes and defeated both Carthaginian/Numidian cavalry forces in detail.
No grand battle, no elephants; Hannibal`s cavalry was beaten though and after some few days of skirmishing an armistice - the real battle of Zama is in Appian - it is the cavalry battle that takes place before the conversation between the two generals.
This, by the way, is a conversation which Polybius inserts the three spies story from Herodotus to make the meeting seem credible, but the real reason for the meeting must have been a change of strategic situation; although his light horse were holding the enemy off in several skirmishes, Hannibal`s cavalry had been defeated and Minucius Thermus had ambushed Hannibal`s "supply column". This is in Appian, but not Polybius. And so later, after the final defeat of Vermina`s forces, the Carthaginian senate agree to Scipio`s terms and there is a settlement.
The best evidence for the battle that I know of is the monument at Kbor Klib. It is Numidian monument built sometime in the 170-150`s and it demonstrates the importance of Numidian forces in the cavalry advantage that Scipio had in the campaign. If you`ve not seen it, then take a look at: Kbor Klib and the Battle of Zama by Duncan Ross. BAR International Series 1399 (2005).
Let`s look at the strategic basics.
For what reason did Scipio march west along the Bagradas valley and to Narragara?
By ravaging the countryside, did Scipio simply intend to goad Hannibal into an engagement? To lure him into a major land battle in which Hannibal is at a numerical disadvantage in cavalry ? This was a point questioned by Dodge, and Hannibal`s actions, as they appear in Polybius and Livy are still questionable today. Would Hannibal really have made such a basic error as this?
It was much more than a simple goading I think; Scipio intended to; a) link up with Massinissa and b) prevent Vermina reinforcing Hannibal.
Taking the initiative, I think Scipio took up a central position which ensured both outcomes and defeated both Carthaginian/Numidian cavalry forces in detail.
No grand battle, no elephants; Hannibal`s cavalry was beaten though and after some few days of skirmishing an armistice - the real battle of Zama is in Appian - it is the cavalry battle that takes place before the conversation between the two generals.
This, by the way, is a conversation which Polybius inserts the three spies story from Herodotus to make the meeting seem credible, but the real reason for the meeting must have been a change of strategic situation; although his light horse were holding the enemy off in several skirmishes, Hannibal`s cavalry had been defeated and Minucius Thermus had ambushed Hannibal`s "supply column". This is in Appian, but not Polybius. And so later, after the final defeat of Vermina`s forces, the Carthaginian senate agree to Scipio`s terms and there is a settlement.
The best evidence for the battle that I know of is the monument at Kbor Klib. It is Numidian monument built sometime in the 170-150`s and it demonstrates the importance of Numidian forces in the cavalry advantage that Scipio had in the campaign. If you`ve not seen it, then take a look at: Kbor Klib and the Battle of Zama by Duncan Ross. BAR International Series 1399 (2005).
