Tom Holland

So to quote him, of all Scipio's many brilliant exploits, this, it seems to me, was the most splendid and inventive.

But I mean, it's blatant treachery.

He's meant to be negotiating.

He's broken all kinds of oaths.

And it's, I think, very, very rich, considering that the Romans are endlessly going on about what they call punica fides, so punic faith, the sense that the Carthaginians are uniquely treacherous.

Actually...

The Romans are very anxious, as we will see, to present themselves as being on the sides of right and of the gods.

So I think Scipio is playing very, very dirty there.

Anyway, I mean, it works for him because he's wiped out large numbers of Carthaginian and Numidian troops.

And even though Sifax and Hasdrubal managed to escape the inferno,

There's a sense now, I think, that Scipio clearly has the beating of them.

And so it proves because the moment spring arrives, he moves in for the kill.

And first he meets with what remains to Sifax and Hasdrubal, so their combined army, in a battle that has the brilliantly Custer-esque name of the Great Plains.

So the Battle of the Great Plains.

And, you know, Scipio...

displays tactical mastery yet again, wipes them out.

Sifax and Hasdrubal again manage to escape, but 30,000 are left as food for the vultures on the Great Plains.

Scipio's cavalry, commanded by Massinissa and Laelius, pursue Sifax.

They take him prisoner, and also they take prisoner his queen, the beautiful and patriotic daughter of Hasdrubal, Sophonisba.

She knows her duty,