Final answer:
The Roman general Scipio defeated Hannibal at the Battle of Zama in 202 BCE, earning him the name "Scipio Africanus." This victory occurred during the Second Punic War, not during Julius Caesar’s time.
Step-by-step explanation:
The commander who was able to defeat the great Hannibal in battle was none other than the Roman general Scipio. At the Battle of Zama in 202 BCE, Scipio led the Roman forces to a decisive victory against Hannibal and his Carthaginian army. Hannibal, famous for his successful military campaigns, including the iconic use of war elephants, and his victories at battles like Cannae, found himself defeated and forced to return to Africa from Italy after Scipio attacked Carthage itself. Following this victory, Scipio earned the honorary cognomen "Africanus," highlighting his conquest.
Although Julius Caesar was an outstanding Roman General known for his military conquests and was famous for the Gaul campaigns, it was Scipio, not Caesar, who defeated Hannibal. This clarification rules out choices A) Richard I, who was known for his role in the Crusades, C) El Cid, a Spanish nobleman and military leader, and D) Julius Caesar, who had many military victories but not against Hannibal.