Editing Third Punic War (section)

=== 149 BC ===
{{more|Battle of Lake Tunis|Battle of Nepheris (149&nbsp;BC)}}

The Roman army moved to Carthage, unsuccessfully attempted to scale the city walls, and settled down for a [[Siege of Carthage (Third Punic War)|siege]]. They set up two camps under command of [[Legatus|legates]]: Censorinus's had the primary role of protecting the beached Roman ships and Manilius's housed the Roman legions. Hasdrubal moved up his army to harass the Roman supply lines and foraging parties.{{sfn|Goldsworthy|2006|p=341}} The Romans launched another assault on the city but were repulsed again. Scipio Aemilianus, the adopted grandson of Scipio Africanus, who was serving as a [[tribune]]{{snd}}a middle-ranking military position{{snd}}held back his men and was able to deploy them to beat off the pursuing Carthaginians, preventing heavy losses.{{sfn|Bagnall|1999|p=314}}{{sfn|Goldsworthy|2006|pp=342–343}}

[[File:Catapulta by Edward Poynter.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|alt=a colourful oil painting showing men hauling on a large siege engine |{{center|''Catapulta'' by [[Edward Poynter]], 1868; modern depiction of a Roman siege engine during the [[Siege of Carthage (Third Punic War)|siege of Carthage]]}}]]

The camp established by Censorinus was badly situated and by early summer was so pestiferous that it was moved to a healthier location. This was not as defensible, and the Carthaginians inflicted losses on the Roman fleet with [[fireship]]s.{{sfn|Bagnall|1999|p=314}} The Romans then made these attacks more difficult by building additional fortifications.{{sfn|Goldsworthy|2006|p=343}} Nevertheless, the Carthaginians repeatedly attacked the camps. In often confused fighting Scipio distinguished himself further by his role in thwarting these; the discipline which he imposed on his troops was in contrast with the behaviour of most of the rest of the Roman army.{{sfn|Goldsworthy|2006|pp=343–344}}

Manilius decided to strike against the Carthaginians' main camp near Nepheris, despite its strong position and fortifications. Arriving there, Manilius ordered an immediate assault, against Scipio's advice. This initially went well, but the Romans advanced into an untenable position. When they attempted to withdraw, the Carthaginians counterattacked, inflicting heavy casualties. Scipio led 300 cavalrymen in a series of limited and well-disciplined charges and threats which caused the Carthaginians to pause long enough for most of the infantry to complete their retreat. That night Scipio led his cavalry back to rescue a trapped group of Romans.{{sfn|Bagnall|1999|pp=314–315}} The Roman column retreated to its camp near Carthage, where a committee from the Senate had arrived to evaluate Scipio and Manilius' progress. Scipio's performance was prominent in their subsequent report.{{sfn|Goldsworthy|2006|pp=344–345}}
Scipio made contact with several of the leaders of Carthage's [[Numidian cavalry]], then joined a second, better-planned expedition led by Manilius against Hasdrubal at Nepheris. Despite the greater forethought, the Romans made no progress, although one of the Numidians contacted by Scipio did defect to the Romans with 2,200 men. Manilius withdrew after the Romans ran out of food and Scipio led the Romans' new allies on a successful foraging expedition.{{sfn|Bagnall|1999|p=315}}{{sfn|Goldsworthy|2006|pp=345–346}}