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BC Battle of Zama: Hannibal Barca and the Carthaginian army are defeated by Roman legions under Scipio Africanus, ending

BC Battle of Zama: Hannibal Barca and the Carthaginian army are defeated by Roman legions under Scipio Africanus, ending the Second Punic War

The Battle of Zama was fought in 202 BC in what is now Tunisia between a Roman army commanded by Scipio Africanus and a Carthaginian army commanded by Hannibal. The battle was part of the Second Punic War and resulted in such a severe defeat for the Carthaginians that they capitulated, while Hannibal was forced into exile. The Roman army of approximately 30,000 men was outnumbered by the Carthaginians who fielded either 40,000 or 50,000; the Romans were stronger in cavalry, but the Carthaginians had 80 war elephants.

At the outset of the Second Punic War, in 218 BC, a Carthaginian army led by Hannibal invaded mainland Italy, where it campaigned for the next 16 years.

Historical Significance

The Battle of Zama was fought in 202 BC in what is now Tunisia between a Roman army commanded by Scipio Africanus and a Carthaginian army commanded by Hannibal.

Events Before

  1. Roman Emperor Pertinax is assassinated by his Praetorian Guards, who then sell the throne in an auction to Didius Julian

    Roman Emperor Pertinax is assassinated by his Praetorian Guards, who then sell the throne in an auction to Didius Julianus

  2. Roman Emperor Didius Julianus is assassinated 66 days into his reign

    Marcus Didius Julianus (29 January 133 – 2 June 193) was Roman emperor from March to June 193, during the Year of the Five Emperors. Julianus had a successful political career, governing several...

  3. BC Ptolemy V, aged 13, is crowned King of Ptolemaic Egypt at Memphis by the High Priest of Ptah; the Rosetta Stone is in

    BC Ptolemy V, aged 13, is crowned King of Ptolemaic Egypt at Memphis by the High Priest of Ptah; the Rosetta Stone is inscribed afterward to proclaim this event

Events After

  1. Roman Emperor Septimius Severus dies in Eboracum (York) in England, leaving the Roman Empire in the hands of his two qua

    Roman Emperor Septimius Severus dies in Eboracum (York) in England, leaving the Roman Empire in the hands of his two quarrelsome sons, Caracalla and Geta

More from the 200s

BC Coronation ceremony of Liu Bang as Emperor Gaozu of Han takes place, initiating four centuries of the Han Dynasty's r

BC Coronation ceremony of Liu Bang as Emperor Gaozu of Han takes place, initiating four centuries of the Han Dynasty's rule over China

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on October 19, 202?
The Battle of Zama was fought in 202 BC in what is now Tunisia between a Roman army commanded by Scipio Africanus and a Carthaginian army commanded by Hannibal. The battle was part of the Second Punic War and resulted in such a severe defeat for the Carthaginians that they capitulated, while Hannibal was forced into exile. The Roman army of approximately 30,000 men was outnumbered by the Carthaginians who fielded either 40,000 or 50,000; the Romans were stronger in cavalry, but the Carthaginians had 80 war elephants.
Why is BC Battle of Zama: Hannibal Barca and the Carthaginian army are defeated by R... significant?
The Battle of Zama was fought in 202 BC in what is now Tunisia between a Roman army commanded by Scipio Africanus and a Carthaginian army commanded by Hannibal.

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October 19 in HistoryYear 202