# Scipio Africanus

> Roman general and politician (236/235–183 BC)

**Wikidata**: [Q2253](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2253)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scipio_Africanus)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/scipio-africanus

## Summary
Scipio Africanus was a Roman general and politician who lived from 236/235 BC to 183 BC. He is best known for his military leadership during the Second Punic War and the Roman–Seleucid War, shaping Roman expansion and political influence in the Mediterranean.

## Biography
- Born: 236/235 BC (exact place unknown)
- Nationality: Roman
- Education: [No data available]
- Known for: Leading Roman military campaigns against Carthage and the Seleucid Empire
- Employer(s): Roman Republic
- Field(s): Military affairs, politics

## Contributions
- Led Roman forces in the Second Punic War (218–201 BCE), securing victories that weakened Carthage.
- Participated in the Roman–Seleucid War (192–188 BCE), contributing to Rome’s expansion into the eastern Mediterranean.
- Served as a politician, holding government positions in the Roman Republic.

## FAQs
- **What wars did Scipio Africanus fight in?** He fought in the Second Punic War (218–201 BCE) and the Roman–Seleucid War (192–188 BCE).
- **Was Scipio Africanus a general or a politician?** He was both a Roman general and a politician.
- **When did Scipio Africanus live?** He lived from 236/235 BC to 183 BC.

## Why They Matter
Scipio Africanus played a crucial role in Roman military history, expanding the Republic’s influence through victories in key conflicts. His leadership helped shape the political and territorial boundaries of the Roman world. Without his contributions, Rome’s dominance in the Mediterranean may have been delayed or less secure.

## Notable For
- Led Roman forces to decisive victories in the Second Punic War.
- Expanded Roman influence in the eastern Mediterranean during the Roman–Seleucid War.
- Served as a politician, contributing to Roman governance.

## Body
### Early Life
Scipio Africanus was born in 236/235 BC, though his exact birthplace is unknown. He belonged to the prominent Cornelius Scipio family, which had a history of political and military service in Rome.

### Military Career
Scipio Africanus is most famous for his military leadership. He fought in the Second Punic War (218–201 BCE), where his victories against Carthage, including the Battle of Zama (202 BCE), helped secure Roman dominance in the Mediterranean. He also participated in the Roman–Seleucid War (192–188 BCE), contributing to Rome’s expansion into the eastern Mediterranean.

### Political Career
Beyond his military service, Scipio Africanus held political positions in the Roman Republic. His political career, though less documented than his military achievements, reflects his role as a key figure in Roman governance.

### Legacy
Scipio Africanus’s military successes and political influence left a lasting impact on Roman history. His victories in the Second Punic War weakened Carthage, while his campaigns in the east expanded Rome’s sphere of influence. His legacy is celebrated in Roman military and political annals, though his exact contributions to Roman governance remain less detailed than his military exploits.

## References

1. Dictionary of African Biography
2. Digital Prosopography of the Roman Republic
3. datos.bne.es
4. Cornelia
5. Czech National Authority Database
6. Source
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. Virtual International Authority File
9. CERL Thesaurus
10. Library of Congress Control Number
11. [Source](https://collection.nationalmuseum.se/sv/artists/artist/17983)
12. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
13. Enciclopedia Treccani
14. LIBRIS. 2018
15. Dizionario di Storia
16. FactGrid