Roman invasion of Africa (204–201 BC)

The Roman invasion of Africa lasted from 204 to 201 BC when a Roman army under Publius Cornelius Scipio landed near Utica and decisively defeated the Carthaginian Empire, thus ending the Second Punic War. The First Punic War was fought between Carthage and Rome for 23 years, from 264 to 241 BC. After a 23-year interbellum, war broke out again in 218 BC. After a further 13 years of war Scipio, Rome's most successful commander, was assigned to Sicily with the intention of invading the Carthaginian homeland in North Africa.

Scipio's army landed in North Africa in 204 BC, pillaged a large area and laid siege to the port-city of Utica, intending to use it as a permanent base and a harbour proof against the winter weather. A large Carthaginian army, supported by a larger force of allied Numidians, set up camp 11 kilometres (7 mi) south of Utica. This caused the Romans to break off the siege and withdraw into their own camp for the winter. In the spring of 203 BC, while feigning that he was renewing the siege of Utica, Scipio launched night attacks on the enemy camps, wiping out both armies. The Carthaginian army reassembled 120 kilometres (75 mi) from Utica, but the Romans marched to meet them, leaving the siege largely in the hands of the navy. At the battle of the Great Plains the Carthaginians were again badly beaten. A large Carthaginian-supporting force of Numidians retreated towards their capital, Cirta. They were pursued by an army of Roman-aligned Numidians supported by a Roman cadre. The Romans won the subsequent battle of Cirta and captured the city. Meanwhile, after the Great Plains the majority of the Roman army marched on Tunis, only 24 kilometres (15 mi) from the city of Carthage. Shortly after the Carthaginian fleet sailed from Carthage to relieve Utica. When it arrived it found that the Roman fleet had adopted a novel formation which they were unable to fully overcome; they retreated after a day's fighting.

The Carthaginian Senate recalled Hannibal from Italy and entered into peace negotiations with Scipio to end the war. A draft treaty was agreed, which the Roman Senate ratified, but because of mistrust and a surge in confidence when Hannibal arrived from Italy, Carthage repudiated it in early 202 BC. Hannibal set out to engage Scipio and after the protracted and hard-fought battle of Zama his army was annihilated. The Carthaginians sued for peace. The Romans enforced harsh terms in the subsequent peace treaty, agreed in 201 BC, although they did leave North Africa. Thereafter, it was clear that Carthage was politically subordinate to Rome.