End of the Road for Carthage

A History of Mankind (175)

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The Roman conquest of Carthago Nova was a unique moment, the perfect example of an unexpected military victory changing the course of history. It’s also shockingly ironic, in that it was a Scipio, a member of family noted for hyping their own successes, who secured the most stunning and important battlefield victory for any Roman army up to that point, and perhaps ever.

Indeed, by taking Carthago Nova Scipio unraveled Carthage’s entire strategy in Iberia, as he took over the hostages that ensured whatever tribal loyalty there was for Carthage, as well as Carthage’s largest cache of supplies, repair materials for the fleet and coin reserves.

In one single blow, Carthage’s position in Hispania became almost untenable. The shock was only compounded by the also surprising Roman storming of Tarentum, the largest Italian city under Hannibal’s control, secured thanks to the betrayal of Italic citizens who opened the gates for the Romans and exposed the local Greeks to massacre, rape and slavery.