For centuries the armies of Rome carried its standards from Spain to the Persian Gulf, led by a remarkable succession of commanders. These are the generals and soldier-emperors behind Rome's rise, from the man who beat Hannibal to the emperor who made the empire largest, each linked to the battle or campaign that made their name.
Scipio Africanus. The general who beat Hannibal at Zama and won the Second Punic War for Rome.
Gaius Marius. The reformer who rebuilt Rome's army and destroyed the invading Cimbri and Teutones.
Pompey the Great. The conqueror of the East who cleared the seas of pirates before falling to Caesar.
Julius Caesar. The conqueror of Gaul who crossed the Rubicon and made himself master of Rome.
A bust of Julius Caesar in the Vatican Museums, in a photograph from the late 19th century now in the Rijksmuseum. CC0
Augustus. Caesar's heir, who won the civil wars and became Rome's first emperor.
Trajan. The soldier-emperor who conquered Dacia and pushed Rome to its greatest size.
Trajan's Column in Rome, whose spiral reliefs record his Dacian wars, photographed by Eugène Constant around 1848 to 1852. CC0
From the Republic to the empire
Rome's commanders spanned three centuries, from the wars with Carthage to Trajan. Scipio Africanus saved the Republic from Hannibal; Gaius Marius rebuilt its army; Pompey and Julius Caesar carried Roman arms across the world and then turned them on each other. Out of their civil wars rose Augustus, the first emperor, and later Trajan pushed the empire to its greatest extent.
The Augustus of Prima Porta in the Vatican, the best known statue of Rome's first emperor, in a 19th century photograph now in the Rijksmuseum. CC0
Among the most celebrated are Scipio Africanus, Gaius Marius, Pompey the Great, Julius Caesar, Augustus and Trajan, spanning the Republic and the early empire.
Who was Rome's greatest general?
There is no single answer, but Scipio Africanus, who defeated Hannibal, and Julius Caesar, the conqueror of Gaul, are the two names most often given as Rome's greatest generals.
Who beat Hannibal?
Scipio Africanus defeated Hannibal at the Battle of Zama in 202 BC, ending the Second Punic War in Rome's favour.
Was Augustus a great general?
Not on the battlefield himself; his decisive victory at Actium was won by his admiral Agrippa. Augustus is remembered as a political genius and the founder of the empire rather than a battlefield commander.
Which emperor made Rome largest?
Trajan, who reigned from 98 to 117 AD, pushed the Roman Empire to its greatest territorial extent, from Britain to the Persian Gulf, after conquering Dacia.
Where can I read about their battles?
Each commander links to their key battles and campaigns, and the guide to the greatest ancient battles collects them, from Cannae and Zama to Alesia and Actium.
Command the legions of Rome
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