Scipio Africanus
1
9.9
- proper noun
- Scipio Africanus is credited with defeating Hannibal at the decisive Battle of Zama.
Examples
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Historians regard Scipio Africanus as one of Rome's greatest military commanders.
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The strategies of Scipio Africanus are still studied in military academies today.
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Scipio Africanus was a brilliant military strategist.
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Did Scipio Africanus really defeat Hannibal?
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Scipio Africanus is credited with defeating Hannibal at the decisive Battle of Zama.
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Historians regard Scipio Africanus as one of Rome's greatest military commanders.
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The strategies of Scipio Africanus are still studied in military academies today.
Synonyms
2
9.9
A Roman general who defeated Hannibal at Zama in the Second Punic War
A Roman general known for defeating Hannibal at Zama during the Second Punic War
A Roman general who defeated Hannibal at the Battle of Zama
Surface Forms
Morphology
Scipio + Africanus
This is a referential proper name: knowing the parts only gives a partial clue—'Africanus' suggests a connection to Africa or an honorific relating to Africa, but that does not on its own convey the full biographical meaning (a Roman general who defeated Hannibal). The expression’s specific historical sense (identity and deeds) is not compositionally predictable from the constituents, so learners might infer a geographic link but not the precise meaning without prior exposure.
Etymology
Scipio Africanus comes from a Roman custom of adding a place name after a big win. After he beat Carthage in Africa, people added Africanus to Scipio to show his 'victory' there, so the name tells us he won in Africa.