Читать книгу Art of War - Sun-tzu - Страница 21

Scipio, after conquering all Spain, returned to Rome, and was appointed consul. Not content with the laurels he had already won, he determined upon an enterprise, which, if successful, should eclipse all his former victories. This was the conquest of Africa. Accordingly, he crossed over thither, and made it the seat of the war. The devastation of the country, the siege of Utica, one of oldest and most powerful cities of Phoenicia, the total defeat of the two armies – all these things forced the Carthaginians at last to turn their thoughts to peace. When the senators were introduced into the Roman general’s tent, they all prostrated themselves before him, and humbly sued for peace. Scipio granted a truce to the Carthaginians, who immediately sent an express to Hannibal to order his return into Africa. Hannibal obeyed, and returned into Africa with all his forces, and encamped within a short distance of the Roman army, at Zama, which lies at the distance of five days’ journey from Carthage.

The courage of the Carthaginians was increased by the presence of Hannibal, and they continually exhorted him to give battle at once to the Romans. But Hannibal, on the contrary, meditated peace. They met in an open space between the two armies; in sight of each other, these two generals, who were not only the most illustrious of their own age, but of all who have been recorded in any former time, both stood for some time silent, struck dumb as it were by mutual admiration. Hannibal could not prevail with himself to accept Scipio’s conditions, and returned to his army with the resolution to decide the fate of Carthage by a general battle.

Scipio then placed his army in battle array; he did not, as usual, place the cohorts in close order, each before their own colours, but posted the companies at some distance from each other, that there might be room to admit the elephants of the enemy, without disturbing the ranks. Hannibal, in order to terrify the enemy, placed his elephants in the front. While they were thus engaged, Scipio gave the signal for battle. The trumpets and cornets were sounded, and the Romans raised such a shout, that the elephants, particularly in the left wing, were frightened at the sound, and turned back upon their own men. The Carthaginian line was therefore exposed on both flanks, not having the cavalry to cover them, when the infantry began to engage. At the very first onset the Carthaginian line gave way. The Romans thrust them back with their elbows and the bosses of their shields, and stepping forward into the places from which they had dislodged them, they gained ground rapidly.

At this critical juncture the cavalry under Lælius and Massinissa who had pursued the flying horse of the Carthaginians to some distance, returned, and charging the rear of the enemy, effectually routed them. Many were surrounded in the field and slain; while many who escaped into the open country adjoining were pursued and slain by the Roman cavalry. Hannibal escaped during the confusion, with a few horsemen, and fled to Hadrumetum. This battle closed the Punic war. The Carthaginians accepted the conditions dictated by Scipio, and peace was declared.

(adapted from: The Battle Roll by E. Perce)