Livy, a Roman historian writing under Augustus, composed the History of Rome. This is Book 29. In the previous book Scipio, the young general who had just finished the war in Spain, overcame Senate fears and aimed the fight at Africa while Hannibal, the Carthaginian who had crossed the Alps, still held the south of Italy.

Scipio lands in Africa, near modern Tunisia. In a night of fire he burns the camps of Syphax, a Numidian king from roughly Algeria, and Hasdrubal son of Gisgo, a Carthaginian general. Marriage politics around Sophonisba cut through the Numidian courts; Masinissa’s cavalry is the gift Rome needed. Carthage, afraid at last, recalls Hannibal from Italy. The war changes continents. Italian towns that sided with him now face the bill. Peace talks flicker and die while he still lives. Livy praises Scipio and cannot stop worrying about him. The clash is set: the man who crossed the Alps against the man who took New Carthage. Book 29 is the crossing — Italy’s long occupation ending, Africa’s trial beginning.