Again a battle took place at Baecula.

The Roman army numbered little more than half that of the enemy, and was also to a considerable extent composed of Spaniards.

Scipio, like Wellington in similar circumstances, disposed his Spaniards so that they should not partake in the fight--the only possible mode of preventing their dispersion -- while on the other hand he threw his Roman troops in the first instance on the Spaniards.

The day was nevertheless obstinately contested; but at length the Romans were the victors, and, as a matter of course, the defeat of such an army was equivalent to its complete dissolution--Hasdrubal and Mago singly made their escape to Gades.
The Romans were now without a rival in the peninsula; the few towns that did not submit with good will were subdued one by one, and some of them were punished with cruel severity.

Scipio was even able to visit Syphax on the African coast, and to enter into communications with him and also with Massinissa with reference to an expedition to Africa--a foolhardy venture, which was not warranted by any corresponding advantage, however much the report of it might please the curiosity of the citizens of the capital at home.