BATTLE // -201 BCE
Battle of Zama
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Source · Wikipedia
Significance
The Battle of Zama ended the Second Punic War by delivering a decisive defeat to the Carthaginian army under Hannibal. The scale of the Carthaginian collapse — some 20,000 casualties against Roman losses of approximately 1,500 — was sufficient to compel Carthage to capitulate rather than continue the conflict. Hannibal, who had led Carthaginian forces through years of the war and inflicted major defeats on Roman armies in Italy, was driven into exile as a direct consequence. The engagement thus resolved the central strategic contest of the war: whether Carthage or Rome would hold dominant power in the western Mediterranean. With Carthaginian resistance extinguished at Zama, Rome secured the position it would build upon throughout the remainder of the ancient period.
Tactics
The Roman army, commanded by Scipio Africanus, was outnumbered by the Carthaginian force, which fielded either 40,000 or 50,000 troops against Roman strength of approximately 29,000 to 30,000. The Carthaginians also deployed 80 war elephants, giving them a notable materiel advantage in that arm. Rome, however, held superiority in cavalry. The overview does not describe in further detail how the engagement was fought in terms of maneuver, formation, or terrain use beyond these dispositions.
Forces & casualties
Troop strength
- Rome29,000–30,000medium
- Carthage40,000medium
Carthage fielded a 1.4 : 1 numerical advantage
Casualties
- Rome1,500medium5% loss rate
- Carthage20,000medium50% loss rate
Commanders (2)
Carthage
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