Scipio+Africanus

Scipio Africanus (236-183 BC) was a Roman general and statesman, most famous for his victory over Hannibal at Zama, which won the Second Punic War for Rome. He is perhaps one of the greatest commanders in Roman history; he never lost a single battle. He exhibited great patriotism and bravery at a young age, as well as skill as an orator and tactician, which fueled his rapid ascent in Roman politics. He was given command of the army sent to Hispania against the Carthaginians (partially because no one else wanted the position), where he won a few minor battles. Due to political infighting, particularly the actions of his jealous rivals, he initiated his African campaign without significant military or financial support from Rome; he trained his own army in Sicily and arranged alliances independently from Rome, most notably with the princes of Numidia, who provided essential cavalry. His tactics at Zama were unusual in that he was perhaps the first Roman general to successfully face war elephants; he defeated a numerically superior, if qualitatively inferior force and obtained the total surrender of Carthage. He then displayed his customary magnanimity in dictating rather reasonable terms when many senators expected he would raze Carthage to the ground.