Publius Cornelius Scipio (consul 218 BC)
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Publius Cornelius Scipio (died 211 BC) was a general and statesman of the Roman Republic and the father of Scipio Africanus.
A member of the
On his return to Italy, he advanced at once to meet Hannibal. In a sharp
Despite the military defeats, he still retained the confidence of the Roman people; his term of command was extended and the following year found him in Hispania with his brother Calvus, winning victories over the Carthaginians and strengthening Rome's position in the Iberian peninsula. He continued the Iberian campaigns until 211, when he was killed during the defeat of his army at the
At his funeral, a certain Lucius Marcius was giving a speech when suddenly, his head spontaneously caught on fire. This has been interpreted as a divine message to Scipio's soldiers for them to avenge his death.[7]
The son of
Notes
- ^ Each consisting of 4,000 infantry and 300 cavalry[2]
- ^ The earliest historical source was by the Greek historian Polybius, who became an intimate of Scipio's grandson and was seemingly biased in favour of the Scipio family. The other major account was written in the following century by the Roman historian Livy, who also expressed bias in favour of certain aristocratic families.[6]
References
- ^ a b c d Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 24 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 405.
- ^ Goldsworthy, The Fall of Carthage, p. 151.
- ^ Goldsworthy, The Fall of Carthage, p. 151.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-7538-2259-3.
- ISBN 978-0-7538-2259-3.
- ISBN 978-0-7538-2259-3.
- ^ Pliny, Naturalis Historia, [1]
See also
- Scipio-Paullus-Gracchus family tree