ABSTRACT
Scipio spent the winter organizing his army and planning one of the most daring exploits of Roman history. It contained the bulk of the Carthaginians' money and war material and their hostages from the whole of Spain; its harbour was one of the best in the western Mediterranean. The war in Italy began to hang fire and the centre of interest shifts to Africa, which the Romans were preparing to invade. Early in the year Scipio met the combined Carthaginian forces near Ilipa. Hannibal would need longer to reorganize, while Scipio would give him as long as he needed, hoping for the return of his cavalry. When the Senate discussed the allocation of provinces, strong opposition to Scipio's African project was led by Fabius; but finally a compromise was reached by which one consul should command in Sicily with the right to sail to Africa if he thought fit.
