04-08-2019, 02:52 PM
(This post was last modified: 04-08-2019, 03:03 PM by Michael Collins.)
Right, but you`ll need to bring Scipio himself back to give evidence. But, even then...
I have been looking at Utica recently, yes. Working backwards from Zama; if we doubt Polybius with respect to Zama, we should also question his reliability for the rest of the War in Africa.
If there is just some doubt concerning the battles at Utica and the Great Plains, then it adds to Polybius` unreliability for subsequent events.
Polybius account of the battle of the Great Plains seems quite unconvincing; it`s not clear how the Carthaginian infantry could have fled along with their cavalry and leave only the Celtiberians to stand. It`s not much of a battle, more of an excuse to have the Carthaginians run away! Which actually seems to be what they did after the night attack at Utica, with only Syphax then being pursued by Laelius and Massinissa, and Husdrubal managing to get away.
I have been looking at Utica recently, yes. Working backwards from Zama; if we doubt Polybius with respect to Zama, we should also question his reliability for the rest of the War in Africa.
If there is just some doubt concerning the battles at Utica and the Great Plains, then it adds to Polybius` unreliability for subsequent events.
Polybius account of the battle of the Great Plains seems quite unconvincing; it`s not clear how the Carthaginian infantry could have fled along with their cavalry and leave only the Celtiberians to stand. It`s not much of a battle, more of an excuse to have the Carthaginians run away! Which actually seems to be what they did after the night attack at Utica, with only Syphax then being pursued by Laelius and Massinissa, and Husdrubal managing to get away.
