Born in 185 BCE, Scipio Aemilianus followed in his grandfather's footsteps and became known for his military achievements, particularly in the Third Punic War. He led the final Roman assault on Carthage, a brutal siege that culminated in the complete destruction of the city.

Rumor has it that, once conquered, Scipio Aemilianus went round the city of Carthage like the Salt Bae of the Roman Empire, sowing the soil with salt to prevent anything from growing there again. Is it true? Would Scipio bother to go to such lengths?

Probably not. After all, the amount of salt needed to render the land of an entire city would be enourmous and costly, making it a really impractical form of revenge.