Читать книгу Art of War - Sun-tzu - Страница 20

As the Romans approached, Hannibal took a position bringing the wind behind him, which at that season blowing constantly one way, and carrying with it great clouds of dust from the parched plains behind, he knew must greatly distress the advancing enemy. The Carthaginian forces amounted to but sixty thousand. The consuls, on their arrival in sight of Hannibal’s army, agreed to take the command on alternate days. Æmilius commanded on the first day, and judged it prudent not to attack the enemy. But the next day, Varro, without asking advice of his colleague, gave the signal for battle, and crossing a branch of the river Aufidus, that ran between the two armies, put his forces in array. The battle began with the light-armed infantry, the horse engaged next, but being unable to stand against Hannibal’s Numidian cavalry, the legions came up to support them. The action now became general. The Romans attempted in vain to break the centre of their enemy’s line, where the Gauls and Spaniards were stationed. Hannibal, observing this, ordered part of those troops to give way, and allow the Romans to advance till they were surrounded; chosen body of Africans then fell upon their flanks, and as they could make no effectual resistance, they were cut down. Varro made a desperate effort to remedy his fatal error; but the Africans, who were fresh and vigourous, easily maintained their advantage over his wearied soldiers. At length the rout became general throughout the Roman ranks; this was the greatest defeat that the Romans ever sustained. 70,000 men were killed on their side, and among these were so many knights, that it is said Hannibal sent to Carthage, as trophies, three bushels of gold rings, taken from their fingers.

(adapted from: A Pictorial History of Ancient Rome by S. G. Goodrich)

After a design by Giulio Romano, Tapestry of the History of Scipio: the Battle of Zama, 1688–1689.

Low-warp wool and silk tapestry, 435 × 740 cm.

Musée du Louvre, Paris.