What would have hav happened if rome had been defeated at the battle of zama?

Answer 1

More war - Rome would not have given up on its ambitions as a world power. It would have had to keep on trying to defeat Carthage as they were irreconcilable enemies and contesting for dominance in the Western Mediterranean. One had to win eventually and eliminate the strength of the other.

As it turned out, Carthage was defeated, and Rome sought to paralyse Carthage with a fifty-year financial penalty, which would have prevented them hiring their usual mercenary armies. Rome miscalculated - the Carthaginians were such successful traders that they paid off the indemnity within ten years and so, in Roman eyes, once again became a threat. Rome kept pushing the Carthaginians to war again by using North African proxies to attack them, so in due course an excuse came to attack Carthage once again and impose the final solution - levelling of the city and selling the people into slavery.

Answer 2

Rome would have still been in a very strong position. Carthage had lost Spain to Rome in the battle of Ilipa four years earlier. Spain had been the kingpin of Carthage's war effort, supplying the bulk of infantrymen. It was also Carthage's main source of wealth. The western Numidians, who had been Carthaginian allies and the main suppliers of cavalrymen, had switched their allegiance to Rome after Cartage's defeat in Spain. Hannibal had left Italy to fight in Tunisia.

Rome had regained control over her allies in Italy. Her manpower was far superior. her navy was also superior. Moreover, they had found in Scipio Africanus a general who matched Hannibal's military genius. It is likely that Rome would have organised another and bigger expedition to Africa.

Answer 3

The Romans would probably have sent another army to Tunisia and would have fought until they won.

By the time of the battle of Zama Rome had gained the upper hand. Hannibal's campaign in Italy had come to a dead end and Rome had regained control of Italy. Hannibal was recalled to Tunisia to defend Carthage against the Roman campaign there. Rome had taken over the Carthaginian territories in southern Spain. This had taken a supply of soldiers away from Carthage and her main source of wealth, the silver mines of the Sierra Morena in southern Spain, was lost to Rome. The Numidians of next door Algeria had switched their alliance from Carthage to Rome. The Numidians had supplied more than half of the cavalry of Hannibal's army in Italy. The Numidian cavalry also played a crucial part in the Roman victory at Zama.

Answer 4

It would have left Carthge in a better position to negotiate with Rome. After Zama, Carthage was largely at the mercy of the Romans, and the Romans had little mercy.

Answer 5

It would have raised another army and defeated Carthage.

Answer 6

It would have enlisted and trained another army, and attacked the Carthaginians again.