Siege of Utica

Roman invasion of Africa (204–201 BC)
Part of the Second Punic War
A marble bust of the Roman commander, Scipio
Date 204–201 BC Location North Africa Result Carthaginian victory
Belligerents
Carthage	Rome
Commanders and leaders
Hasdrubal Gisco Syphax Hannibal	Scipio Africanus

The siege of Utica took place from 204 to 201 BC when a Roman army under Publius Cornelius Scipio attempted to seize the port to use as a secure base from which to defeat the Carthaginian Empire in its North African homeland. The First Punic War was fought between Carthage and Rome for 23 years, from 264 to 241 BC. After a 23-year interbellum, war broke out again in 218 BC as the Second Punic War. After a further 13 years of war Scipio, Rome's most successful commander, was assigned to Sicily with the intention of invading the Carthaginian homeland in North Africa.

Scipio's army landed in North Africa in 204 BC, pillaged a large area and laid siege to the port-city of Utica, intending to use it as a permanent base and a harbour proof against the winter weather. Scipio expected the city to surrender readily, but despite being attacked fiercely from land and sea it held out; the garrison and citizens assuming they would be relieved from Carthage. A large Carthaginian army, supported by a larger force of allied Numidians set up camp 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) south of Utica. This caused the Romans to break off the siege and withdraw into their own camp for the winter. In the spring, while feigning that he was renewing the siege of Utica, Scipio launched night attacks on the enemy camps, wiping out both armies.

The Carthaginian army reassembled 120 kilometres (75 mi) from Utica, but the Romans marched to meet them, leaving the siege largely in the hands of the navy. At the battle of the Great Plains the Carthaginians were again badly beaten. The Roman army marched on Tunis, in time to see the Carthaginian fleet sail from Carthage to relieve Utica. When it arrived the Carthaginians found that the Roman fleet had adopted a novel formation which they were unable to overcome; they retreated after a day's fighting. Hannibal was then recalled from Italy and Scipio set out to meet him, again leaving the siege to be prosecuted by the Roman navy. Hannibal's army was annihilated at the battle of Zama and the Carthaginians sued for peace. The Romans enforced harsh terms in the subsequent peace treaty, agreed in 201 BC, although they did leave North Africa and Utica remained a Carthaginian city.