ILIPA, BATTLE OF

(206 BC), victory of the Roman general Publius Cornelius Scipio (later called Scipio Africanus) over Carthaginian forces in Spain during the Second Punic War. Scipio, who had been campaigning against the Carthaginian armies in Spain since 210, met their combined forces under Hasdrubal Gisco and Mago near Ilipa (modern Alcal del Ro, near Seville). With 45,000 infantry and 3,000 cavalry, he had about 10,000 fewer men than the enemy. Victory was won by brilliant tactics made possible by Scipio's recent reforms and training. The battle ended Carthaginian power in Spain and thereby affected the course of the war against the Carthaginian general Hannibal.