Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus

Publius Cornelius Scipio
Roman bronze bust of Scipio Africanus the Elder from the Naples National Archaeological Museum (Inv. No. 5634), dated mid 1st century BC Excavated from the Villa of the Papyri at Herculaneum by Karl Jakob Weber, 1750-65.
Consul of the Roman Republic
In office 205–202 BC, – [?] BC
Preceded by	Quintus Caecilius Metellus and Lucius Veturius Philo
Succeeded by	Marcus Cornelius Cethegus and Publius Sempronius Tuditanus
Personal details
Born	236 BC Rome, Roman Republic
Died	183 BC (aged 53) Liternum
Spouse(s)	Aemilia Paulla
Children	Publius Cornelius Scipio, Lucius Cornelius Scipio, Cornelia Africana Major, Cornelia Africana Minor
Military service
Allegiance	Roman Republic
Rank	General
Battles/wars	Second Punic War Battle of Ticinus Battle of the Trebia Battle of Cannae Battle of Cartagena Battle of Baecula Battle of Ilipa Battle of Utica Battle of the Great Plains Battle of Zama Roman-Syrian War Battle of Magnesia

Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus (236–183 BC), also known as Scipio the African, Scipio Africanus-Major, Scipio Africanus the Elder, and Scipio the Great, was a Roman general and later consul who is often regarded as one of the greatest generals and military strategists of all time. His main achievements were during the Second Punic War where he is best known for defeating Hannibal at the final battle at Zama, one of the feats that earned him the agnomen Africanus.

Although considered a hero by the general Roman populace, primarily for his contributions in the struggle against the Carthaginians, Scipio was reviled by other patricians of his day. In his later years, he was tried for bribery and treason, unfounded charges that were only meant to discredit him before the public. Disillusioned by the ingratitude of his peers, Scipio left Rome and withdrew from public life.

Publius Cornelius Scipio was born by Caesarian section into the Scipio branch of the Cornelia gens. His birth year is calculated from statements made by ancient historians (mainly Livy and Polybius) of how old he was when certain events in his life occurred, and must have been 235/236 B.C, usually stated as circa 236 BC.

The Cornelii were one of six major patrician families, along with the Manlii, the Fabii, the Aemilii, the Claudii, and the Valerii, with a record of successful public service in the highest offices extending back at least to the early Roman Republic.

Scipio's great-grandfather, Lucius Cornelius Scipio Barbatus, and grandfather Lucius Cornelius Scipio, had both been consuls and censors. He was the eldest son of the consul Publius Cornelius Scipio by his wife Pomponi, daughter of plebeian consul Manius Pomponius Matho.