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How did the Battle of Zama end the Second Punic War?

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Historical map of the western Mediterranean region during the Punic Wars, showing Carthaginian territory in orange and Roman territory in green around 270 BCE. Hannibal's route from Spain, across the Alps, and into Italy between 219 and 202 BCE is marked with a red line. Key battle sites with years are labeled throughout Spain, Italy, Sicily, and North Africa. — Punic Wars The Punic wars led to the destruction of Carthage.

The Battle of Zama (202 BCE) served as the decisive conclusion to the Second Punic War by effectively neutralizing Carthage's military capacity and forcing the city to accept Roman peace terms.1

The Roman victory, led by Scipio Africanus, ended the war through several critical developments:

Tactical Superiority: Scipio successfully countered Hannibal’s war elephants by creating flexible infantry corridors, and his superior Numidian cavalry—led by Masinissa—crushed the Carthaginian horsemen and attacked Hannibal’s infantry from the rear.12
Military Collapse: The defeat resulted in the destruction of the Carthaginian army, leaving the city helpless. Hannibal, who never again led troops in battle, was forced to relinquish his command.1
Peace Terms: Carthage was compelled to accept harsh conditions, including ceding Spain to Rome, surrendering most of its warships, and paying a massive 50-year indemnity of 10,000 silver talents.1

This victory not only ended the conflict but also signaled the beginning of Rome's transformation into a dominant Mediterranean empire.12