re: Octavius (Augustus) Caesar: Cruel sniveling coward or great Roman (or both)?

Well, that wouldn't have been possible, and Hannibal's troops were depleted and physically beaten after the long marches. His famous elephants were replaced at a moment's notice and didn't have the training that they normally would have, which made it easier for Scipio's troops to herd and confuse them.

And in addition to his crowning victory, Caesar basically went on a continental European tour of asswhipping, repeatedly routing the hated Celts and attaining almost godlike status among the people.

I will say, Scipio's strategy was funnier. I've always wondered what would have happened if Hannibal had continued his siege and conquest of Rome, allowing the two armies to basically just take over each other's home capital.