Scipio Africanus: A Great Captain?
Timothy Sarma
Program: Military Studies: Capstone-Thesis: Master of Arts (MA)
Awarded: June 2021
Capstone Instructor: Dr. Kelly Jordan
Abstract: The challenge of identifying the Great Captains of history has long been an endeavor of military scholars and students. Differing opinions over what constitutes such complex ideas as greatness, leadership, or generalship presents a continued hurdle to this effort, and a consensus remains elusive. In an attempt to address these problems and add to the dialogue, this thesis undertakes the effort of applying a formulaic approach to the assessment of a historical figure, Scipio Africanus, thereby implementing a standardized assessment to an otherwise fluid effort. Given this, this thesis implements Dr. Kelly Jordan’s Great Captain formula from the MILS512 “Great Military Leaders” course at American Public University to evaluate Scipio Africanus in three main areas: leader in battle/war, master of the art of war, and military genius. This research implements a substantive, grounded theory as a methodological lens, and incorporates the historical case study method in its research design. After a critical and rigorous analysis of the current prevailing ideas on what constitutes a Great Captain, and after applying this formula to Scipio Africanus, this research has found that Scipio Africanus indeed qualifies as a Great Captain of history, and warrants recognition as such.