WI: Massinissa never switches sides

The question is, what if Massinissa (Numidian Prince during the 2nd Punic War), decided not to join Rome during the 2nd Punic War. His rival for the open throne, Syphax, was convinced to join Carthage afterwards, and was a neutral party in that war up to the time. Massinissa decides to join Rome because they're winning at the moment, and look to be giving a better shot of him winning the throne. So, if Massinissa decides to stay with Carthage, and Syphax stays neutral, does the Battle of Zama change (Massinissa fought in the battle with Rome, and supplied Rome a lot of superior cavalry to what the Romans had); with no Numidian cavalry for the Romans?
 
Last edited:
Rome might very well win anyways. Scipio wasn't fighting a perfect battle anyways; the romans triumphed first and foremost because the core of Scipio's army was a force of well trained, experienced legionaries who Scipio had made his own, whereas Hannibal's forces were generally a bunch of inexperienced levies. massinnissa changing sides may hurt (although who's to say that Syphax doesn't defect?), but it isn't necessarily enough to win the battle.

In the long run, though, probably not that much difference either way. Carthage has basically lost this war. Interesting effects will be how a possible defeat impacts the Scipii political careers, and Roman-Numidian relations.
 
True, Carthage was losing the war rapidly, but you have to remember though that much of Scipio's army were legions in Cannae that were banished to Sicily. While Rome was an extremely disciplined force, you're dealing with soldiers who have split and routed before. In the event of a close(r) fight, maybe these legions may have split more easily than other legions, especially as they are fighting the same general who gave Rome that catastrophic defeat earlier in the war. In that event, Hannibal could easily defeat the Roman army, or so I would assume. If Hannibal had won, maybe he begins a Spainish campaign, and with Scipio presumabaly losing favor in Rome, may fight an easier, less competent general, and the war may have changed.
 
Last edited:
Top