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How did Roman veterans and Spanish allies work together in Scipio Africanus’s plan at Ilipa?
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Scipio Africanus
Silver coin from Carthago Nova, believed to be a portrait of Scipio Africanus the Elder; in the Royal Collection of Coins and Medals, National Museum, Copenhagen.
At the Battle of Ilipa, Scipio Africanus utilized a coordinated tactical plan that relied on the distinct roles of his Roman veterans and Spanish allies to exploit Carthaginian weaknesses.
After lulling the enemy commanders into a false sense of routine through days of light skirmishing, Scipio altered his troop formation on the day of the battle to ensure his strongest units faced the enemy’s weakest points. The cooperation between his forces functioned as follows:12
- Spanish Allies: Positioned in the center, these troops were instructed to "refuse the centre." Their role was to hold the main body of the Carthaginian army in place without fully engaging, preventing the enemy from responding effectively to the maneuvers occurring on the flanks.12
- Roman Veterans: Positioned on the flanks, these experienced soldiers steadily advanced against the Carthaginian and Iberian mercenary forces. Supported by velites and cavalry, their pressure caused the Carthaginian flanks to collapse.1
Once the enemy flanks were broken and the Carthaginian center began to withdraw, Scipio ordered a general advance, allowing his fresh Spanish troops to fall upon the exhausted enemy forces, resulting in a decisive victory.1