The Rest Is History

642. Rome’s Greatest Enemy: Bloodbath in Africa (Part 3)

February 9, 2026

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  • The Battle of Zama, the ultimate showdown between Hannibal and Scipio, resulted in a decisive Roman victory due to superior Roman infantry training and Hannibal's critical lack of cavalry. 
  • Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus, despite achieving immense glory by defeating Hannibal and conquering Africa, faced political backlash from conservative senators like Cato, leading to his eventual self-imposed exile. 
  • Following the peace treaty, Hannibal attempted a political comeback in Carthage as a 'left-wing innovator' before being forced into a final, tragic exile and suicide to avoid Roman capture. 
  • Listeners have a final chance to join The Rest Is History Club before the conclusion of the current series, which covers the events leading up to the ultimate showdown between Hannibal and Scipio. 
  • The Rest Is History is launching exclusive merchandise, including a t-shirt designed by Graham Johnson depicting Hannibal as Hercules crossing the Alps with a Roman Hydra, available only to club members. 
  • New and existing members can access the exclusive merchandise via the website's members merch section, with specific instructions provided for Apple members to join the mailing list for access. 

Segments

Polybius Praises Hannibal
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(00:01:41)
  • Key Takeaway: Polybius, Rome’s best source, admired Hannibal’s sixteen years of ceaseless war and leadership over diverse forces.
  • Summary: The hosts introduce a passage from Polybius praising Hannibal’s leadership, courage, and ability to maintain loyalty among his multinational army for sixteen years in Italy.
Scipio’s Plan to Invade Africa
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(00:07:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Scipio planned to invade Africa to force Hannibal to fight on his native soil, aiming for Carthage itself.
  • Summary: The strategy to bypass Hannibal in Italy by invading Africa is articulated. Scipio, now a massive hero, faces opposition from conservatives like Fabius Maximus, who accuses him of glory-hunting.
Cato and Massinissa Join Scipio
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(00:12:37)
  • Key Takeaway: Scipio’s expedition sets sail, accompanied by the traditionalist Cato and allied with Numidian King Massinissa.
  • Summary: Scipio’s fleet departs Sicily. The conservative Cato is present as paymaster, contrasting with Scipio’s glamour. Scipio’s ally, Massinissa, needs Roman support against his rival Syphax.
Sophonisba and Treacherous Diplomacy
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(00:15:35)
  • Key Takeaway: Sophonisba, daughter of Hasdrubal, married Syphax to secure the Carthaginian alliance, but Scipio later used deceit to destroy their forces.
  • Summary: The introduction of Sophonisba, who married Syphax. Scipio later negotiates a truce with Syphax and Hasdrubal while secretly planning to burn their winter camps, which Polybius called brilliant treachery.
Battle of the Great Plains
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(00:21:32)
  • Key Takeaway: Scipio decisively defeated the combined forces of Syphax and Hasdrubal at the Battle of the Great Plains, capturing Sophonisba.
  • Summary: Following the burning of the camps, Scipio wins the Battle of the Great Plains. Sophonisba is captured, marries Massinissa, but chooses suicide over Roman humiliation.
Hannibal Recalled to Carthage
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(00:25:01)
  • Key Takeaway: After the peace treaty terms were ratified, the Carthaginian Senate reneged, recalling Hannibal from Italy to fight Scipio.
  • Summary: Carthage agrees to harsh Roman terms, but the Senate later reverses course upon Hannibal’s return from Italy, setting up the final battle.
The Clash of Titans: Zama
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(00:33:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Scipio defeated Hannibal at Zama because Hannibal lacked cavalry and Scipio expertly countered the war elephants.
  • Summary: The final battle begins. Hannibal’s weakness in cavalry and Scipio’s drilled infantry countering the elephants led to a massive Roman victory, mirroring Hannibal’s past successes against Rome.
Harsh Peace and Scipio’s Triumph
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(00:38:03)
  • Key Takeaway: The final treaty crippled Carthage economically and politically, while Scipio Africanus returned to Rome loaded with honors.
  • Summary: The final peace terms are harsher due to Carthage’s delay. Massinissa is greatly rewarded. Hannibal urges acceptance, and the war ends, marking the end of both generals’ military careers.
Hannibal and Scipio’s Later Lives
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(00:42:30)
  • Key Takeaway: Hannibal became a civilian reformer in Carthage, while Scipio, despite his fame, struggled with political jealousy, particularly from Cato.
  • Summary: Hannibal’s effective governance contrasts with Scipio’s difficulty adjusting to civilian life, facing attacks from Cato over extravagance and prestige.
Hannibal Flees to Antiochus
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(00:54:06)
  • Key Takeaway: Fearing Roman demands for his surrender, Hannibal fled Carthage and joined Antiochus III of the Seleucid Empire as a military advisor.
  • Summary: The Romans demand Hannibal’s surrender from Antiochus III. Hannibal escapes Carthage and meets Antiochus, urging him to fight Rome. Scipio Africanus later confronts Hannibal in the East.
The Generals Meet Again
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(00:56:43)
  • Key Takeaway: In a famous exchange, Hannibal ranked himself third among generals, only placing himself first if he had beaten Scipio at Zama.
  • Summary: Scipio asks Hannibal to rank the greatest generals. Hannibal names Alexander, then Pyrrhus, then himself, humorously stating he would rank himself first if he had won at Zama.
Hannibal’s Death and Scipio’s Exile
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(01:00:51)
  • Key Takeaway: Hannibal committed suicide by poison in 183 BC to avoid Roman capture, while Scipio died the same year, disgraced by political enemies.
  • Summary: Hannibal is cornered in Bithynia and takes poison. Scipio, having been accused of embezzlement by Cato’s faction, dies wealthy but in self-imposed exile, broken by the humiliation.
Final Call for Membership
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(01:04:57)
  • Key Takeaway: Last chance to join before the next episode airs.
  • Summary: A final reminder for listeners to join the membership via therestishistory.com to hear what happens to Carthage immediately.
Rinse Advertisement Break
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(01:05:19)
  • Key Takeaway: Rinse handles laundry so listeners can pursue greatness.
  • Summary: An advertisement for Rinse, emphasizing how using their service frees up time for members to focus on passions and innovation.
Announcement of New Merchandise
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(01:05:50)
  • Key Takeaway: Exclusive merchandise is launching for Rest Is History members.
  • Summary: The hosts announce the launch of brand new, exclusive merchandise for members, calling it the most exciting news of all time.
Merchandise Design Reveal
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(01:06:12)
  • Key Takeaway: The first t-shirt features Hannibal as Hercules.
  • Summary: Details about the first t-shirt design, created by Graham Johnson, showing Hannibal crossing the Alps as Hercules, battling a Roman Hydra.
How to Purchase Merch
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(01:07:13)
  • Key Takeaway: Members must log in to the website to access the merch section.
  • Summary: Instructions are given for members to access the merchandise via the website. Specific instructions are provided for Apple members to email for access.
Incentive for Non-Members
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(01:07:52)
  • Key Takeaway: Joining the membership grants access to merch and other benefits.
  • Summary: The hosts encourage non-members to join to get the unique t-shirt, early access, bonus episodes, and other exclusive content.