SCIPIO JUNIOR
SCIPIO JUNIOR. It is reported that Scipio Junior never
bought nor sold nor built any thing for the space of fifty-four years, and so long as he lived; and that of so great
an estate, he left but thirty-three pounds of silver, and two
of gold behind him, although he was lord of Carthage,
and enriched his soldiers more than other generals. He
observed the precept of Polybius, and endeavored never to
return from the forum, until by some means or other he
had engaged some one he lighted on to be his friend or companion. While he was yet young, he had such a repute
for valor and knowledge, that Cato the Elder, being asked
his opinion of the commanders in Africa, of whom Scipio
was one, answered in that Greek verse,—
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Others like shadows fly;
He only is wise.
1
When he came from the army to Rome, the people preferred him, not to gratify him, but because they hoped by
his assistance to conquer Carthage with more ease and
speed. After he was entered the walls, the Carthaginians
defended themselves in the castle, separated by the sea,
not very deep. Polybius advised him to scatter caltrops
in the water, or planks with iron spikes, that the enemy
might not pass over to assault their bulwark. He answered, that it was ridiculous for those who had taken
the walls and were within the city to contrive how they
might not fight with the enemy. He found the city full of
Greek statues and presents brought thither from Sicily, and
made proclamation that such as were present from those
cities might claim and carry away what belonged to them.
When others plundered and carried away the spoil, he
would not suffer any that belonged to him, either slave
or freeman, to take, nor so much as to buy any of it. He
assisted C. Laelius, his most beloved friend, when he stood
to be consul, and asked Pompey (who was thought to be a
piper's son) whether he stood or not. He replied, No;
and besides promised to join with them in going about and
procuring votes, which they believed and expected, but
were deceived; for news was brought that Pompey was
in the forum, fawning on and soliciting the citizens for
himself; whereat others being enraged, Scipio laughed.
We may thank our own folly for this, said he, that, as if we
were not to request men but the Gods, we lose our time
in waiting for a piper. When he stood to be censor, Appius Claudius, his rival, told him that he could salute all
the Romans by their names, whereas Scipio scarce knew any
of them. You say true, said he, for it hath been my care
not to know many, but that all might know me. He advised
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the city, which then had an army in Celtiberia, to
send them both to the army, either as tribunes or lieutenants, that thus the soldiers might be witnesses and judges
of the valor of each of them. When he was made censor,
he took away his horse from a young man, who, in the
time while Carthage was besieged, made a costly supper,
in which was a honey-cake, made after the shape of that
city, which he named Carthage and set before his guests
to be plundered by them; and when the young man asked
the reason why he took his horse from him, he said, Because you plundered Carthage before me. As he saw C.
Licinius coming towards him, I know, said he, that man is
perjured; but since nobody accuses him, I cannot be his
accuser and judge too. The senate sent him thrice, as
Clitomachus saith, to take cognizance of men, cities, and
manners, as an overseer of cities, kings, and countries.
As he came to Alexandria and landed, he went with his
head covered, and the Alexandrians running about him entreated he would gratify them by uncovering and showing
them his desirable face. When he uncovered his head,
they clapped their hands with a loud acclamation. The
king, by reason of his laziness and corpulency, making a
hard shift to keep pace with them, Scipio whispered softly
to Panaetius: The Alexandrians have already received
some benefit of our visit, for upon our account they have
seen their king walk. There travelled with him one
friend, Panaetius the philosopher, and five servants, whereof
one dying in the journey, he would not buy another, but
sent for one to Rome. The Numantines seemed invincible, and having overcome several generals, the people the
second time chose Scipio general in that war. When
great numbers strived to list them in his army, even that
the senate forbade, as if Italy thereby would be left destitute. Nor did they allow him money that was in bank, but
ordered him to receive the revenues of tributes that were
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not yet payable. As to money, Scipio said he wanted none,
for of his own and by his friends he could be supplied;
but of the decree concerning the soldiers he complained,
for the war (he said) was a hard and difficult one, whether
their defeat had been caused by the valor of the enemy or
by the cowardice of their own men. When he came to
the army, he found there much disorder, intemperance,
superstition, and luxury. Immediately he drove away the
soothsayers, priests, and panders. He ordered them to
send away their household stuff, all except kettles, a spit,
and an earthen cup. He allowed a silver cup, weighing
not more than two pounds, to such as desired it. He forbade them to bathe; and those that anointed themselves
were to rub themselves too; for horses wanted another to
rub them, he said, only because they had no hand of their
own. He ordered them to eat their dinner standing, and
to have only such food as was dressed without fire; but
they might sit down at supper, to bread, plain porridge, and
flesh boiled or roasted. He himself walked about clothed
in a black cassock, saying, he mourned for the disgrace
of the army. He met by chance with the pack-horses of
Memmius, a tribune that carried wine-coolers set with
precious stones, and the best Corinthian vessels. Since
you are such a one, said he, you have made yourself useless to me and to your country for thirty days, but to yourself all your life long. Another showed him a shield well
adorned. The shield, said he, young man, is a fine one,
but it becomes a Roman to have his confidence placed
rather in his right hand than in his left. To one that was
building the rampart, saying his burthen was very heavy,
And deservedly, said he, for you trust more to this wood
than to your sword. When he saw the rash confidence of
the enemy, he said that he bought security with time; for
a good general, like a good physician, useth iron as his last
remedy. And yet he fought when he saw it convenient,
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and routed the enemy. When they were worsted, the elder
men chid them, and asked why they fled from those they
had pursued so often. It is said a Numantine answered,
The sheep are the same still, but they have another shepherd. After he had taken Numantia and triumphed a
second time, he had a controversy with C. Gracchus concerning the senate and the allies; and the abusive people
made a tumult about him as he spake from the pulpit;
The outcry of the army, said he, when they charge, never
disturbed me, much less the clamor of a rabble of newcomers, to whom Italy is a step-mother (I am well assured)
and not a mother. And when they of Gracchus's party
cried out, Kill the Tyrant,—No wonder, said he, that they
who make war upon their country would kill me first; for
Rome cannot fall while Scipio stands, nor can Scipio live
when Rome is fallen.
