Sayings+of+Scipio+Africanus



 Plutarch, Sayings of Romans, Moralia, 197:

Scipio the Elder used to spend on literature all the leisure he could win from his military and political duties, and he used to say that he was busiest whenever he had nothing to do. 2 When he captured Carthage by assault, some of his soldiers, having taken captive a comely maiden, came to him with her, and offered to give her to him. "I would gladly take her," said he, "if I were a private and not a commander."

3 While he was besieging the city of Baria, in which was visible a temple of Venus overtopping all else, he ordered that in giving sureties for appearance they should specify that place, since he purposed two days hence to hear litigants in this temple of Venus. CAnd so he did, as he had foretold, after the city had been taken. 4 When somebody inquired in Sicily on what he placed his reliance in purposing to take his army across to Carthage, he pointed out to the inquirer three hundred men in armour, who were drilling, and also a lofty tower which overlooked the sea. "There is not one of these men," said he, "who would not go up to the top of that tower and throw himself down head first at my command."

5 When he had crossed over, and was master of the land, and had burned the enemy's camps, the Carthaginians sent to him and made a treaty of peace, agreeing to surrender their elephants and ships, Dand to pay an indemnity.[|27] But when Hannibal had sailed back from Italy, they were sorry because of their agreement, since they did not now feel afraid. Scipio, learning this, said that, not even if they wished it, would he keep the compact unless they paid a million pounds more, because they had sent for Hannibal.[|28]

6 When the Carthaginians had been utterly overthrown, they sent envoys to him to negotiate a treaty of peace, but he ordered those who had come to go away at once, refusing to listen to them before they brought Lucius Terentius. This Terentius was a Roman, a man of good talents, who had been taken prisoner by the Carthaginians. EAnd when they came bringing the man, Scipio seated him on the tribune next to himself in the conference, and, this done, he took up the negotiations with the Carthaginians, and terminated the war.

7 Terentius marched behind him in the triumphal procession, wearing a felt cap just like an emancipated slave. And when Scipio died, Terentius provided wine with honey for all who attended the funeral to drink their fill, and did everything else connected with his burial on a grand scale. But this, of course, was later.[|31]

8 Antiochus the king,[|32] after the Romans had crossed over to according to attack him,[|33] sent to Scipio to ask about terms of peace. F"This should have been done before," said Scipio, "but not now, when you have taken the bit and the rider is in the saddle."<span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: super;">[|34]

<span style="color: #000066; display: block; font-family: Georgia,Palatino,serif; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;">9 The Senate voted that he should receive a sum of money from the treasury, but the treasurers were not willing to open it on that day; whereupon he said that he would open it himself, for the reason it was kept closed, he declared, was because he had filled it with so much money.<span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: super;">[|35]

<span style="color: #000066; display: block; font-family: Georgia,Palatino,serif; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;">10 When Petillius and Quintus brought before the people many accusations against him, he remarked that on this very day he had conquered the Carthaginians and Hannibal, and he said that he himself, with a garland on, was on his way up to the Capitol to offer sacrifice, and he bade anyone who so wished to give in his vote about him. 197With these words he went his way, and the people followed after, leaving behind his accusers still speaking. <span style="color: #000066; display: block; font-family: Georgia,Palatino,serif; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;"> <span style="color: #000066; display: block; font-family: Georgia,Palatino,serif; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;"> Questions: <span style="color: #000066; display: block; font-family: Georgia,Palatino,serif; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;">
 * 1) Who is Scipio Afrianus The Elder?
 * 2) What did Scipio Africanus do that made him a hero?
 * 3) What is the diffrence between Consul Scipio and Commander Scipio?
 * 4) Do these quotes show Scipio Africanus the elders true colors?

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[|http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Plutarch/Moralia/Sayings_of_Romans*/A.html#The_Elder_Scipio]

[] <span style="color: #000066; display: block; font-family: Georgia,Palatino,serif; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;"> <span style="color: #000066; display: block; font-family: Georgia,Palatino,serif; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">Publius Scipio, known to many as Scipio Africanus, or Scipio the Elder was born into a patrician family in Rome. He grew up to become a military tactition that would help Rome win the Second Punic War. After his work as a commander Scipio become a consul member and work in government till the time of his death. The Tomb of the Scipios Africanus was discovered and open to the public. Many believe Scipio Africanus was layed to rest there. It is said that he was brought back to Rome and buried there. <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">Scipio is most credit for is work in the Second Punic War, as a general. He is the man who took down Rome's biggest thorn, Hannibal. Scipio finished Hannibal at the Battle of Zama, a victory that would give him the agnonmen Africanus, a nickname meaning "the Roman Hannibal", as well as recognition as one of Rome's greatest commanders in its reign. <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"> <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">Scipio is considered by the masses to be one of Rome's greatest generals, because he never lost a battle. Scipio was skillful in multiple strategies and tactics. He was also known to inspire his soldiers with confidence with speeches. Scipio was also the first Roman general to expand Roman territories outside Italy and islands around the Italian mainland. Consul Scipio was different in the aspect that unlike his general side he did not seek to use his charisma and reputation for gain, specifically the weakening of the republic. Scipio after his return from Africa refused to accept demands for him to become perpetual consul and dictator. Scipio in the nerd world would be the X-men leader, Cyclops. Cyclops has never lost a battle, never asked to be recognized for his victories, and just wants to better his home and keep his soldiers safe. Both Scipio and Scott “Cyclops” Summer both show self restraint by using their leadership power not for personal prowess but to help gain the support their followers.

<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">Like the famed superhero leader, Scipio was not only for his brawns, but for his words as well. In his life Scipio use to spend time on his literature just as much as anything else. Scipio was a man of great intellectual culture who could speak and read Greek. Many of Scipios' life accounts were lost. From the records we have from Plutarch, Sayings of Romans, Moralia.. In the quotes about Carthage, Scipio Africanus, shows a level head under every circumstance he came across. The senate were envied the young commander and did not give him an army on his campaign. Even with this against him, Scipio started a volunteer army when he was in Sicily to head towards Hannibal. With his volunteer army Scipio took leadership quick and strong. Every soldier under the general was said to have full loyality, and if asked would jump of a mountain in the name of Scipio. But Scipio did not want to be seen as a dictator to his men, so he tried to stay humble. In after his capture of Carthage a couple of his men, brought women to Scipio quarters, but Scipio refused stating "I would gladly take her, if I were a private and not a commander."(Plutarch). At first this seems cocky and coincided but it can also be seen as a master not being tempted by small ideal treasures. He also let his men take the women showing he cares about the moral of his troupes. In times of crisis when money need to be released to Scipio, the senate voted to give him money, but the treasury would not open on the day he needed it. Instead of wasting time, Scipio himself opened the treasury and took the money that he put in himself out. The statements that are in the //Sayings of Romans,// show Scipio Africanus as a leader, someone with a calm head in heated situations, and at times a cocky individual, but usually a person of great restraint. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">