It was a slaughter. One estimate has six hundred legionaries being killed every minute until darkness brought an end to the battle.

(I've read somewhere that the Carthaginian started to take prisoners because their arms were too tired from the stabbing)

In total 50,000 Romans fell in the slaughter.

2 quaestors, 29 of the 48 military tribunes died including the consul of the previous year, Geminus, along 80 men of senatorial class.

One historian equates the death toll with the first day of the Somme in 1916.

The Roman ability to carry on after successive & crushing defeats is nothing short of a miracle & testament to their indomitable spirit

Livy wrote that ‘No other nation surely would not have been overwhelmed by such an accumulation of misfortune.’

They simply raised new legions

While some Romans who survived held up in a nearby town were discussing what to do, a few were shamed into suggesting leaving Italy to serve as mercenaries.

It was at this point where Publius Cornelius Scipio stormed into the room with his sword drawn and said

teasing part 2.
I'll be seeing you all soon enough.

Pompeii in the night.

Starfield (2023)

the desolate, isolated, creeping feeling of loneliness in space is what makes this game special.

Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus,

A man whose strategic brilliance forever altered the course of the Second Punic War.

Born into the esteemed Cornelii Scipiones family in 236 BC, young Scipio was destined for greatness.

Yet, it wasn't merely his lineage that shaped him; it was his actions and choices that carved his path to immortality.

Scipio's early years were steeped in the tumult of the Punic Wars.

As a teenager, he witnessed first-hand the devastation wrought by Carthage, Rome's formidable adversary.

These experiences were not scars but sparks that ignited his military genius.

Scipio was not just a product of his era; he was a shaper of it.

His ascension began when he was elected as curule aedile in 213 BC.

This role, traditionally responsible for maintaining public buildings and regulating marketplaces, served as his stepping stone into the political arena.

Scipio's charismatic leadership and strategic acumen swiftly caught the eye of the Roman Senate, marking him as a rising star.

However, it was his audacious proposal to invade Africa and strike at the heart of Carthage that truly set him apart.

This plan was not born out of youthful arrogance, but of daring ingenuity.

Recognizing its potential, the Senate granted him proconsular imperium in 205 BC, despite his relatively young age.

This title gave Scipio the authority to command a military force, marking his transition from politician to military leader.

With an army fiercely dedicated to his cause, Scipio sailed for Africa.

His soldiers were more than mere pawns; they were men inspired by his vision, ready to follow him into the heart of enemy territory.

Scipio's ability to inspire such loyalty and dedication was a testament to his leadership prowess and charisma.

The African campaign culminated in the Battle of Zama, where Scipio faced the legendary Hannibal Barca.

The stakes were high; both generals were determined to secure victory for their respective cities.

Hannibal, with his feared war elephants and seasoned troops, was a formidable opponent.

Yet, Scipio remained undaunted.

Drawing on his superior cavalry and innovative infantry tactics, Scipio devised a strategy that would exploit the overconfidence of the Carthaginian forces.

He ordered his infantry to open ranks, creating lanes for the charging elephants.