12-16-2014, 01:33 PM
This theory hasa lot of flaws.. First and foremost - Scipio "Africanus" was not that popular with Roman senate, after all, he was accused of taking money, and he left Rome because of that accusation and died in exile. Why would anybody fabricate story about somebody like that? Why not making things up about Cato the Elder? after all, he was also present in African expedition..and why would they award him with a Triumph, and imperium to negotiate peace terms with Carthage? Why would Carthage pay such indemnity, if they still had Hannibal and his African veterans available?
Regarding Scipio not following Hastrubal further, one should take into assumption the way how Senate assigned armies - Scipio had Imperium for Spain, not Gallia or Italy. That was jurisdiction of other consul. Besides, letting Hatrubal go, meant there were much smaller resistance in Spain, while he kew exactly what forces were waiting for Hastrubal in Italy.
Oh, and besides, Zama was not the first battle Hannibal was defeated... Marcus Claudius Marcellus defeated Hannibal during siege of Nola, so Hannibal lost his status of undefeated general long before Zama..
Regarding Scipio not following Hastrubal further, one should take into assumption the way how Senate assigned armies - Scipio had Imperium for Spain, not Gallia or Italy. That was jurisdiction of other consul. Besides, letting Hatrubal go, meant there were much smaller resistance in Spain, while he kew exactly what forces were waiting for Hastrubal in Italy.
Oh, and besides, Zama was not the first battle Hannibal was defeated... Marcus Claudius Marcellus defeated Hannibal during siege of Nola, so Hannibal lost his status of undefeated general long before Zama..
Jaroslav Jakubov
