Rome\'s most able general?

[Paullus Scipio]

Theo/Jaime wrote:-

If King Masinissa of Numidia had not defected to Scipio Hannibal would almost surely have won at Zama.

.....aaah, but there's another twist to that tale too ! Carthage, while the prominent power in North Africa, was not he only one. There were native kingdoms too.On the fringes were various nomadic peoples - King Baga and the Moors, the Numidian Maesulii confederation east of Carthage( who were in the throes of a dynastic dispute), and the most powerful of all, the Masaesulii confederation west of Carthage under their king, Syphax. These various North African Nomad tribes all possessed superb light cavalry, like the steppe nomads. Numidians were supposed not to use reins, but to steer their horses by tapping their necks with a stick.(this is depicted on coins). There were constant dynastic fights and feuds between the various tribes. Originally Gala and the Maesulii supported Carthage and Syphax was sympathetic to Rome.(after 213 BC) When Masinissa's father Gala had died (206 BC), the throne was usurped and Masinissa outlawed. Syphax supported the usurper, and his troops all but killed Masinissa.
As the most powerful, Syphax was courted by both sides. In 206 after the fall of Spain to Scipio, both Scipio and Hasdrubal Gisgo found themselves simultaneously in Syphax' harbour. At first Syphax looked as if he would ratify a treaty with Rome, but Hasdrubal had an 'ace in the hole' in the form of his beautiful daughter Sophonisba(previously betrothed to the now penniless exile Masinissa!). Syphax married her and committed himself to Carthage.The most powerful North African kingdom was now a firm ally of Carthage, and played a major part in the African campaign - forcing Scipio to abandon the siege of Utica, and acting as broker in peace negotiations, for example. Syphax brought an army perhaps 15-20,000 strong to Carthage's aid. Compare this to the maximum 4,000 cavalry and 6,000 Infantry Masinissa could bring to Scipio's aid at Zama after he recovered his kingdom. Even at Zama, Masinissa's 4,000 cavalry, many of whose loyalties were dubious, were countered by Tychaeus, a relative of Syphax with 2,000 cavalry said to be "the finest in all Africa" and Masinissa's bitter rival for the throne Mazaetullus, with perhaps as many as 1,000. Vermina, son of Syphax was also bringing an army of 15,000 or so to aid Carthage, but fortunately for Scipio, was too late for Zama.
So, on the "defection" front, Scipio finished second-best to Hasdrubal Gisgo and Carthage who through Syphax gained an army of 15-20,000( at various times) against the maximum 10,000 Masinissa brought Scipio !

Anyway, I'm enjoying the discussion as well

....idem in me (the same for me) D