Scipio Africanus: Soldier and Politician

Aspects of Greek & Roman Life

by H.H. Scullard

One of the most fascinating personalities in the history of the Roman Republic comes vividly to life in this new book by H. H. Scullard, general editor of the Aspects of Greek and Roman Life series. The author provides a keen analysis of Scipio's military achievements together with an informed account of his political career. Based on the best and most recent scholarship, the book will undoubtedly be the standard biography of Scipio for many years to come.

Professor Scullard stresses the historical importance of Scipio the soldier, and shows that his greatest success—the defeat of Hannibal in 202 B.C.—was made possible by his tactical genius, strategic insight, and the tenacity with which he fought for and won acceptance of his views despite bitter political opposition in Rome. By establishing a liberal conception of Rome's imperial mission in the world, Scipio laid the foundations of Roman power in Spain, Africa, and Asia.

The author shows AScipio at the centre of the history of the Roman Republic—the first strong personality after an age that preferred corporate action and the champion of the forces that together produced the new Graeco-Roman culture of the late Republic. Photographs, maps, and drawings enhance this most readable biography.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Ancient History

299 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1970

About the author

Howard Hayes Scullard, FBA, FSA was a British historian specializing in ancient history, notable for editing the Oxford Classical Dictionary and for his many books. His early education was at Highgate School, followed by St. John's College, Cambridge. He was a tutor and then reader at New College London, from 1935 to 1959, after which be became Professor of Ancient History at King's College London before retiring in 1970.

Perhaps his most widely known work is From the Gracchi to Nero: A History of Rome from 133 B.C. to A.D. 68, a text widely used by students studying Rome in the late republic, as well as Rome under the Julio-Claudians.

Reviews

[Jim Neeley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written and dense, lots of information. I prefered the military history section over the last few chapters dealing with Scipio and Roman Politics after the defeat of Hannibal. The last few chapters had too many names flying around, it became a Namus Saladus to us laymen. Especially disliked that the latin passages had no translation. Obvoiusly he was writing for those who knew Latin and had more than a base knowledge of the era. But hey this is how you learn. I did like the anecdote of Scipio tearing up the finnacially record on the floor of the Senate(?), and basically saying if you need the info there it is.

[Legens · Rating 3 out of 5]

Concise writing. The author tends to lionize Scipio, but makes a decent case for his hero. Obviously an older piece of scholarship, but a decent introduction.

[Ryan Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fine, if dated, biography of the architect of Roman victory in the Second Punic War. Scullard was a good historian for his day, but let's just say a modern biography would read quite differently. The challenge of writing his biography is the same for most ancient Romans: limited source material--you pretty much just have Polybius and Livy's accounts.

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In my second reading, Scullard's bias towards Scipio came out even more - given two options to explain Scipio's actions, he always chooses the more noble, generous, and wise option. He also tends to see Scipio's situation among his peers in terms more like the Late Republic, as if he were a Marius, a Sulla, or a Caesar born a century too early.

[Magnus Lu · Rating 2 out of 5]

Author was too biased towards Scipio and it showed in a way that detracted from the biography.

[Mark Dunstan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best of the three books that I've read on Scipio - a lot more critical and no hero worhship like Liddel Hart's book!!!