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How did Scipio Africanus capture Carthago Nova in 209 BCE?

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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.

In 209 BCE, Scipio Africanus captured the Carthaginian headquarters at Carthago Nova by launching a surprise combined military and naval assault while the three main enemy armies in Spain were at least 10 days away.1

Scipio had learned from local Spanish fishermen that the water level around the city varied daily and reached a particularly low point in the afternoon. Exploiting this phenomenon—which may have been tidal or influenced by an offshore wind—Scipio led his troops through a lagoon where the water had receded, exposing the city's northern wall. This successful maneuver allowed his forces to storm the city.1

The capture of Carthago Nova was a significant strategic victory, providing Scipio with vital supplies, Spanish hostages, control of local silver mines, and a superior harbor to serve as a base for further operations in the region. The event also bolstered his troops' morale, as the timely lowering of the water was interpreted by many as a sign of divine support from Neptune.12