Commentary Par VI 49-51

To refer to the Carthaginians as Arabs is (as Bosco/Reggio [DDP Bosco.Par.VI.49-51] explain) to commit an anachronism, since Arabs populated that part of North Africa only in Dante's day, not in Roman times.  Hannibal (247-183 B.C.) was perhaps the Romans' most glorious and successful antagonist, over a period of some fifteen years defeating them in several major battles, until, at the battle of Zama, in 202 B.C., he was utterly crushed by Scipio (who received his surname, 'Africanus,' as a result).  Some may recall George C. Scott, portraying General George Patton in the eponymous film detailing the latter's military career, alone before a major tank battle of the North African campaign in World War II on the battlefield at Zama, reflecting on Scipio's victorious tactics.