Third Punic War Battles > Battle of Nepheris (147 BC)

Battle of Nepheris (147 BC)

Battle of NepherisPart of the Third Punic WarDate147 BCLocationNepheris, south of CarthageResultRoman victoryBelligerentsSpqrstone.jpg Roman RepublicCarthage standard.svg CarthageCommanders and leadersSpqrstone.jpg Scipio AemilianusCarthage standard.svg Diogenes of CarthageStrengthunknown7,000-10,000Casualties and lossesunknown7,000 dead5,000 prisoners(including non-combatants)

Background

The Battle of Nepheris was the second major conflict of the Third Punic War and occurred in 147 BC at Nepheris which is located south of Carthage. The battle was fought between the Carthaginians led by Diogenes of Carthage against the Roman Republic led by Scipio Aemilianus. Prior to this the Romans had been defeated both during the first Battle of Nepheris by Hasdrubal the Boeotarch as well as the Battle of the Port of Carthage.

Battle

During the battle, Scipio surrounded the main Carthaginian military camp and despite having a smaller force soundly defeated them. Surrounded by all sides by Romans, the Carthaginians fought and lost thousands of soldiers before being forced to surrender. Many were taken as prisoners of war, while only 4,000 of them managed to retreat. Overall the loss of the Battle of Nepheris would make a major turning point in the Third Punic War as it deeply affected the resolve and moral of the defenders of Carthage. It would only be a few more months until the capital city of the Carthaginians would fall as well.

Coordinates: 36°36′54.382″N 10°22′59.045″E

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Bibliography

Primary Sources

Secondary Sources

Nowaczyk, Bernard (2008). Kartagina 149-146 (in Polish). Warsaw: Bellona. ISBN 83-111-1270-3.Appian of Alexandria, The Punic Wars, "The Third Punic War".

Digital Atlas of the Roman Empire, "Nepheris"