1. Zama October 19, 202 BC Strategic Context Stakes
After defeating the Carthaginians in Spain, Scipio Africanus invades North Africa in 204 BC to take Carthage itself. Scipio defeats Carthaginian ally, King Syphax of Numidia, with the help of his son Prince Masinissa. Scipio establishes himself while Hannibal Barca leads the main Carthaginian army in ineffectual skirmishes in Italy. Hannibal Barca returns to defend Carthage in 203 BC and meets Scipio at Zama the next year.
Stakes
+ A Roman victory would leave Carthage undefended, forcing it to concede to a severe peace treaty.
+ A Carthaginian victory would destroy Rome’s only army in North Africa, forcing a more advantageous peace.
By Jonathan Webb, 2009 ©

2. Zama, 202 BC Strength Romans Well Carthaginians Well Scipio Africanus
Hannibal Barca
29,000 infantry
36,000 infantry
6,500 cavalry
4,000 cavalry
80 war elephants
By Jonathan Webb, 2009 ©

4. Carthaginians (Hannibal Barca) 36,000 infantry 4,000 cavalry Romans
Frightened elephants continue to rampage into the Carthaginian ranks, disordering the right wing cavalry. Laelius also seizes the opportunity to charge the Carthaginian right wing and drive it from the field. Meanwhile, Roman skirmishers harass the remaining war elephants and carefully lure them down the wide lanes in the infantry to be destroyed in the rear.
Scipio redresses his ranks to form a continuous battle line and advances. Hannibal meets the Roman infantry with only his first two lines of infantry.
Hannibal charges with his war elephants and skirmishers which are confronted by Roman skirmishers. As the war elephants approach the Roman lines, Scipio orders the cavalry to blow loud horns to frighten the beasts which partly succeeds; many elephants turn about and flee. The Carthaginian left wing is stampeded by rampaging elephants, completely disordering it. Masinissa promptly charges the Carthaginian left wing and drives it from the field.
Hannibal deploys his infantry in three lines with his hardened veterans occupying the rear line and his mercenaries and levies occupying the front two lines. He deploys his war elephants and skirmishers in front of the infantry and the cavalry on the wings. Scipio deploys his infantry in three lines as well: hastati in the front, then principes and finally veteran triarii. Scipio leaves wide lanes between his formations but hides the gaps with skirmishers. He deploys his cavalry on the wings, Masinissa commanding the stronger right wing. Hannibal knows Scipio’s cavalry is superior and gives orders to his cavalry to lure the Roman cavalry far away from the battlefield if defeated.
Carthaginians
(Hannibal Barca)
36,000 infantry
4,000 cavalry
Carthaginians
(Hannibal)
Hannibal
Tychaeus
Romans
(Scipio Africanus)
29,000 infantry
6,500 cavalry
Romans
(Scipio)
Laelius
Masinissa
Scipio

5. Carthaginians (Hannibal Barca) 36,000 infantry 4,000 cavalry Romans
The Roman hastati eventually defeat the Carthaginian front infantry line which must retreat. However, Hannibal orders is second line infantry to not allow the first line into their ranks resulting in a few initial skirmishes between friendly troops. Trapped between their own second line and the Roman hastati, the Carthaginian front line is slaughtered although some escape to settle on the wings.
Scipio redresses his ranks to form a continuous battle line and advances. Hannibal meets the Roman infantry with only his first two lines of infantry.
The Carthaginian second line counterattacks aggressively, pushing the Roman hastati backwards until reinforced by the principes. A fierce struggle ensues but the Carthaginian infantry are again defeated and forced to retreat. Hannibal does not allow these troops to mingle with his rear line but most have the sense to redeploy on the wings. Hannibal’s cavalry appears to be carrying out its orders magnificently as there is no sign of the Roman cavalry.
Carthaginians
(Hannibal Barca)
36,000 infantry
4,000 cavalry
Carthaginians
(Hannibal)
Hannibal
Romans
(Scipio Africanus)
29,000 infantry
6,500 cavalry
Romans
(Scipio)
Scipio

6. Carthaginians (Hannibal Barca) 36,000 infantry 4,000 cavalry Romans
As the infantry battle reaches a climax, the Roman cavalry finally return to attack the Carthaginians in the rear. In an instant, the Carthaginian infantry are annihilated where they stand or violently pursued from the battlefield.
Scipio orders an advance over the gory battlefield. A violent and costly infantry struggle infantry ensues. Neither side appears to be gaining an advantage and the decision remains in great doubt to both commanders.
Scipio and Hannibal pause briefly to reorganize their formations. Scipio leisurely deploys the principes on the inner wings and the triarii on the outer wings for a balanced line which slightly overlaps the Carthaginian line. Hannibal knows an advance over the corpse-filled battlefield would be difficult and opts to wait for Scipio to attack his veteran infantry line.
Carthaginians
(Hannibal Barca)
36,000 infantry
4,000 cavalry
Carthaginians
(Hannibal)
Hannibal
Triarii
Principes
Hastati
Principes
Triarii
Scipio
Romans
(Scipio Africanus)
29,000 infantry
6,500 cavalry
Romans
(Scipio)

7. Zama, 202 BC Casualties & Aftermath
Romans:
Carthaginians:
5,000 or
14%
30,000 or
75%
Hannibal escaped to convince the Carthaginian senate to sue for peace. Carthage was forced to surrender its fleet, cede land to Masinissa’s Numidia and pay severe reparations to Rome. Hannibal was allowed to continue playing a role in Carthaginian politics. In fact, he was so successful in Carthage’s recovery within the terms of the peace treaty, that Rome forced him to flee in 196 BC.
By Jonathan Webb, 2009 ©

8. The Art of Battle: Animated Battle Maps
By Jonathan Webb, 2009 ©