The first dedicated , illustrated study of the events of the Second Punic War in Iberia, which served as a launch pad for the Carthaginian invasion of Rome. Iberia was one of three crucial theatres of the Second Punic War between Carthage and Rome. Hannibal of Carthage's siege of Saguntum in 219 BC triggered a conflict that led to immense human and material losses on both sides, pitting his brother Hasdrubal against the Republican Roman armies seeking to gain control of the peninsula. Then, in 208 BC, the famous Roman general Scipio Africanus defeated Hasdrubal at Baecula, forcing Hasdrubal's army out of Iberia and on to its eventual annihilation at the Metaurus. In this work, military historian Mir Bahmanyar brings to life the key personalities and events of this important theatre of the war, and explains why the Roman victory at Baecula led to a strategic shift and Carthage's eventual defeat. It covers Scipio Africanus' brilliant victory at Ilipa in 206 BC, where he crushed the army of Mago Barca and Hasdrubal Gisco. Illustrated with maps, tactical diagrams, battlescene artworks and photographs, this work provides a gripping narrative of the large-scale battles fought in Iberia. “This is a useful book, focusing on a key part of the Second Punic War that is almost always overshadowed by the more famous Italian campaigns, but that played a major role in the eventual Roman victory.” ― Historyofwar.org “well researched and written book” ― Army Rumour Service Mir Bahmanyar served in the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment as a machine-gunner and training NCO. He holds a BA in History from University of California at Berkeley and an MA in War Studies from King's College London. Mir has previously worked as a military technical advisor, a German-language coach and as a producer and writer in Hollywood. He has written numerous books and articles on subjects ranging from ancient history to modern warfare, and his work has been translated into Spanish, Japanese, Polish and Arabic. Mir's special interests are the Punic Wars, Darby's Rangers and the future of war. He grew up on three continents, in four countries, and currently lives in Toronto, Canada. Specializing in history and military history, Marco Capparoni is a fine artist and illustrator for wargames, fiction and non-fiction publishers and private commissions.