Famous Men of Rome · Ch. XV, part 2 · Unit 3: Pyrrhus and the wars with Carthage
21. Scipio Africanus, part 2: Africa and Zama
Goal: Your child can tell how Scipio carried the war to Africa and beat Hannibal at Zama, and what Hannibal said about the greatest generals.
You'll need
- The book, open to this chapter
- A map of Italy and the Mediterranean (a free online map or a globe)
- Paper and colored pencils
- Your timeline strip (see the tips at the top)
What's in the book
Sections III and IV of Chapter XV: Scipio takes volunteers to Africa, gains the help of the Numidian prince Masinissa, and burns the camps of King Syphax and the Carthaginians. Hannibal is called home. The two generals meet, then fight at Zama in 202 B.C., and Scipio wins. Years later they talk about who was the greatest general.
The lesson, step by step
Set the scene
Find Carthage again. Numidia was the land next to it in North Africa. Zama was a town not far from Carthage.
Read the chapter
Read from section III to the end of Chapter XV. Section III begins:
Scipio tried for some time to obtain the aid of Syphax, a powerful king of Numidia, in Africa.
Tell it back
Prompts:
- Why did Scipio want to fight in Africa instead of Italy?
- How did he destroy the two enemy armies in one night?
- What did Hannibal and Scipio say when they met before the battle?
- Why were Hannibal's elephants of little use at Zama?
Talk it over
Read the end of the conversation between the two old generals. Scipio asked what Hannibal would have said if he had won. Hannibal said he would have said:
that I was greater than Alexander, greater than Pyrrhus, and greater than all other generals.
Ask: Was Hannibal being proud, or polite to Scipio, or both? Which of the three generals have we already met in this book?
Remember it
Add to the timeline: "202 B.C. Scipio beats Hannibal at Zama."
SayScipio got the name Africanus for his victories in Africa.
Extra (optional)
Make a two-column chart: Hannibal and Scipio. List one brave thing, one clever thing, and one kind or honorable thing for each.
Answers to the book's problems
Scipio believed Hannibal would have to leave Italy to defend Carthage. The enemy camps were huts of stakes, reeds and dry leaves, so he set them on fire at night. Hannibal offered Spain, Sicily and Sardinia; Scipio said they must fight it out. The Romans frightened the elephants with trumpets and balls of fire. We have met Pyrrhus (Chapter XIII).
Worked out for this site from the scan. If a number in your copy differs, trust the book.