Opponents of Hannibal: Fabius Maximus and Scipio Africanus
By josh byrne
Fabius maxmius
Background
 280 BC – 203 BC, probably participated in the first Punic war
 Proceeded through the political ranks and became consul twice and Censor (in charge of the census and public morality)
 Appointed dictator after the disastrous battle of Lake Trasimene. Rome had lost consul
Gaius Flaminius and consular armies in major battles, Hannibal was on the doorsteps of
Rome
Fabius and Hannibal
 Rome had suffered two crushing defeats at the battle of Lake Trasimene and the Battle of
Trebia, despite numerical superiority
 Fabius adopts a combined war of attrition and guerrilla warfare, known today as “Fabien strategy” from which he gets his name cunctator “the delayer”
 Did not engage Hannibal directly. Recognised Hannibal's military ingenuity and his weaknesses, over extended supply lines, the need to win over Rome's allies and the
Hannibal’s mercenaries which effectively meant a time schedule

Sent out small raiding parties to harass the enemy, posted lookouts, employed scorched earth policies and made sure that Hannibal could not march onto Rome without abandoning his supply routes, Mediterranean ports
Aftermath
 Fabius’ strategy prove unpopular, as it was seen as cowardice. Lack of unity among military commanders made it less effective, Fabius Master of the Horse (first lieutenant) a political enemy of Fabius attacked Hannibal when he was away, Fabius had to rescue him

Gaius Terentius Varro decides to attack Hannibal directly after Fabius is not reappointed dictator and Gaius becomes consul

Result is the disastrous battle of Cannae, and the people of Rome turn to Fabius for guidance again
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Fabius continued the strategy until Hannibal eventually sought peace terms with Rome
Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus, 235–183 BC

Joined the Roman army at a young age and fought in the disastrous battles of Ticinus,
Trebiaand and Cannae

After the defeat in the aforementioned battles, group of politicians thought of putting forward peace into senate debates, to which Scipio stormed the politicians meeting and swore them at sword point to continue the fight
 Secured the office of quaestor (public treasurer) at 24. Initial opposition because members of the senate had to be 30 years and over, however this was overlooked because of his audacity and patriotism

Hispanic campaign

211 BC Scipio offers to take over the new army that would be sent to Hispania
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Scipio was still young, yet he was so enthusiastic and his renowned reputation sealed the job. Unanimously agreed and sent as proconsul (governor of a province) historian
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Livy said that no one else wanted the job of leading the new army, as many considered it a “death sentence”
 Scipio surprised and captured the headquarters of the Carthaginian forces in Hispania,
New Carthage, aided by division between Hannibal's three other brothers who were stationed there. He treated the prisoners with great care, eventually securing support of the Hispanic tribes to bolster his forces
 Victorius at first major set piece skirmish, battle of Battle of Baecula against Hasdrubal
Barca, does not pursue Hasdrubal/ remaining Carthaginian forces
 206 BC Scipio wins over Hispanic chiefs and achieved decisive victory over the
Carthaginians at the Battle of Llipa against Mago and Hasdrubal Gisco
 Carthaginians evacuate Hispania, after Iberian base of operations taken by Scipio’s forces. Scipio returns home to Rome
African campaign
 205 BC Scipio unanimously elected as a roman consul ( highest elected position is roman society)
 Wishes to go to Africa and be given an army but denied by the senate because of envious politicians
 Goes to Sicily to raise an army, his reputation drew volunteers from all over Italy, effectively made Sicily an army training camp. When an inquirer came, he found a well trained army and Scipio pleaded for financial and military support from the senate to go to Africa. Fabius Maximus denied this support considering it too dangerous to go to
Africa

Scipio heads to Utica where he destroys the Numidian and Carthaginian armies by lighting their camps on fire and routing the panicked men in the Battle of the Great
Plains. Both Livy and Polybius estimated that Scipio’s men inflicted roughly 40,000 casualties
The Battle of Zama

With Scipio marching onto Carthage, Hannibal was forced to came back to Carthage, and the two forces fought on a plain between Utica and Carthage in what is now called the
Battle of Zama
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Scipio divided his army into sections, allowing Hannibal's elephants to run through his army where the Romans killed many and drove others back
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The Numidian horsemen drove back Hannibal's cavalry before attacking Hannibal's army from behind and finishing off the battle
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Scipio returned to Rome in triumph and earned the nickname Africanus. He became and
Censor and died in around 183 BC (speculation)