Final answer:
Publius Cornelius Scipio, known as Scipio Africanus after his victories, was the Roman consul who led the attack against Carthaginian armies in Africa, culminating in the decisive Battle of Zama in 202 BCE during the Second Punic War.
Step-by-step explanation:
The consul who led Rome in the attack on the Carthaginian armies in Africa was Publius Cornelius Scipio, who is famously known as Scipio Africanus after his conquests. Scipio first defeated Carthaginian forces in Spain in 207 BCE, which significantly weakened Hannibal's army by cutting off their reinforcements and supplies. He then launched an attack on Africa itself, drawing Hannibal back to defend Carthage.
Scipio's campaign culminated in the Battle of Zama in 202 BCE, where he successfully defeated Hannibal's forces. This pivotal victory not only earned Scipio the honorary name 'Africanus' but also cemented Rome's dominance over Carthage, leading to Carthage's severe loss of territory and influence in the region.
Scipio's tactical proficiency and his victories against Carthage during the Second Punic War established him as a celebrated military strategist in Roman history.