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the gods and hailed as a second founder of the city (Pun. 14.680-1). Pomeroy observes
that Silius‟ closing remarks in Punica 14 allude to Cicero‟s comparison of Marcellus‟
restraint to Verres‟ greed and rapaciousness. Cicero upheld Marcellus as the measure
against Verres to illustrate the moral decline in Roman character (Cicero, Verrines,
2.4.115-123, 131). 365
Control of Syracuse by the Romans may have made communication with Carthage
more difficult for Hannibal but it was insufficient to dislodge him from Italy. The
primary factor, as presented by Polybius, was Scipio‟s invasion of Africa and, in
particular, his subsequent victories against the Carthaginians. If Polybius indicated other
contributing factors to dislodge Hannibal, they are no longer extant; his focus is almost
entirely on Scipio masterminding the idea to invade Africa once the Carthaginians had
been forced out of Spain and is the reason why Scipio was anxious to return to Rome in
time for the consular elections (Hist. 11.24-33).
The claim is voiced by Scipio in a speech to Hannibal prior to Zama (Hist. 15.8.4-
14). At the equivalent meeting in Livy‟s text it is voiced by Hannibal, who
acknowledges Scipio‟s success in Africa as the reason for his departure from Italy
(Livy, 30.30.14). In the context of this meeting, it is quite possibly what Hannibal would
say in order to flatter his opponent as part of an attempt at negotiation; on the other
hand, Polybius placing the claim in Scipio‟s voice is equally valid.
Others agree. Frontinus places Scipio‟s successes in Africa as a stratagem under the
chapter heading on determining the course of the war (De constituendo statu belli):
Scipio, manente in Italia Hannibale, transmisso in Africam exercitu
necessitatem Carthaginiensibus imposuit revocandi Hannibalem. Sic a
domesticis finibus in hostiles transtulit bellum.
Frontinus, Strat., 1.3.8
While Hannibal was lingering in Italy, Scipio sent an army into Africa,
and so forced the Carthaginians to recall Hannibal. In this way he
transferred the war from his own country to that of the enemy.
Bennett, 2003, 25.
Livy modifies Scipio‟s claim to have forced Hannibal‟s departure from Italy by noting
the discovery of a prophecy in the Sibylline books. The prophecy read that in order to
remove a foreign foe from Italian soil, the Romans must first welcome the Idaean
365 Pomeroy, 1989a, 134. Silius Italicus praises Domitian (or possibly Nerva) (Pun. 14.684-8), but I do not
see a connection to Silius Italicus‟ own governorship as argued by Leigh, 2000b, 480.
165