Titus Livius (Livy), Ab urbe condita, Benjamin Oliver Foster, Ph.D. (Editor), Frank Gardener Moore (Editor), Evan T. Sage, Ph.D. (Editor), Alfred C. Schlesinger, Ph.D. (Editor), 38.53

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[1] He supplemented his decree with an indignant speech:

Are your feet, tribunes, to trample down Scipio, that conqueror of Africa?

[2]

Was it for this that he repulsed and routed four of the most noted generals of the Carthaginians in Spain, and four armies?

[3]

Was it for this that he captured Syphax, overthrew Hannibal, made Carthage tributary to us, drove Antiochus —for Lucius Scipio admits his brother to a share in this glory —beyond the ridges of Taurus, that he should fall a victim to the two Petillii?

[4]

Will you allow a victory over Publius Africanus to be sought? Shall distinguished men by no services of their own, by no honours of your bestowal, ever reach a safe and, as it were, sacred citadel where their old age, if not respected, at least secure, may find rest?

[5] Both the decree and the supplementary speech touched not only the tribunes but even the prosecutors themselves, and the latter said that they would take counsel as to what their right and duty required. After that, when the assembly of the people had been adjourned, a meeting of the senate began.

[6] There boundless gratitude was expressed by the whole order and especially by the senators of consular rank and greater age, because Tiberius Gracchus had shown greater regard for the public interest than for his personal quarrels, and the Petillii were assailed with abuse because they had tried to become conspicuous by darkening another's reputation and were seeking spoils from a triumph over Africanus.

[7] Thenceforth there was silence regarding Africanus. He spent his life at Liternum, with no desire to return to the City;

[8] when dying¹ they say that he² gave orders that he should be buried in that same place in the country and that his tomb should be erected there, that his funeral might not be held in an ungrateful home-land. He was a man to be remembered, although more to be remembered for his achievements in war than for his deeds in peace.

[9] The first part of his life was more distinguished than the last, since in his youth he was continually waging wars, while with old age his deeds too faded, nor was any opportunity afforded to display his talent. What was his second consulship compared to the first, even if you add the censorship?

[10] What was gained by his lieutenancy in Asia, rendered unprofitable as it was by his illness and disfigured by the misfortune³ of his son and, after his return, by the necessity of either standing trial or leaving the trial and his country at the same time?

[11] Nevertheless, since he brought to an end the Punic War, than which there was waged none greater nor more dangerous by the Romans, he has secured a singular pre-eminence of fame.

Ab urbe condita. Titus Livius (Livy). Benjamin Oliver Foster, Ph.D. (Editor), Frank Gardener Moore (Editor), Evan T. Sage, Ph.D. (Editor), Alfred C. Schlesinger, Ph.D. (Editor). Medford, MA. .

Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.

Funding provided by The National Endowment for the Humanities.

Current edition Perseus

History of Rome (English) (Foster, Benjamin Oliver; Moore, Frank Gardener; Sage, Evan T.; Schlesinger, Alfred C., translators. Cambridge, Mass.; London: Harvard University Press; William Heinemann, Ltd., 1919-1959. (Loeb Classical Library))

Editions (3)

Ab urbe condita Perseus (Pars I-IV, Libri I-XL. Editio Stereotypica. Weissenborn, Wilhelm; Mueller, Moritz, editors. Leipzig: Teubner, 1884-1911.) — 38.53 focus

[1] adiecit decreto indignationem: “sub pedibus vestris stabit, tribuni, domitor ille Africae Scipio?

[2] ideo quattuor nobilissimos duces Poenorum in Hispania, quattuor exercitus fudit fugavitque; ideo Syphacem cepit, Hannibalem devicit, Carthaginem vectigalem nobis fecit, Antiochum —

[3] recipit enim fratrem consortem huius gloriae L. Scipio — ultra iuga Tauri emovit, ut duobus Petilliis succumberet?

[4] vos de P. Africano palmam pet i feretis? nullisne meritis suis, nullis nostris honoribus umquam in arcem tutam et velut sanctam clari viri pervenient, ubi, si non venerabilis, inviolata saltem senectus eorum considat?”

[5] movit et decretum et adiecta oratio non ceteros modo, sed ipsos etiam accusatores, et deliberaturos se, quid iuris sui et officii esset, dixerunt.

[6] senatus deinde concilio plebis dimisso haberi est coeptus. ibi gratiae ingentes ab universo ordine, praecipue a consularibus senioribusque, Ti. Graccho actae sunt, quod rem publicam privatis simultatibus potiorem habuisset,

[7] et Petillii vexati sunt probris, quod splendere aliena invidia voluissent et spolia ex Africani triumpho peterent.

[8] silentium deinde de Africano fuit. vitam Literni egit sine desiderio urbis; morientem rure eo ipso loco sepeliri se iussisse ferunt monumentumque ibi aedificari, ne funus sibi in ingrata patria fieret.

[9] vir memorabilis, bellicis tamen quam pacis artibus memorabilior. nobiior prima pars vitae quam postrema fuit, quia in iuventa bella adsidue gesta, cum senecta res quoque defloruere, nec praebita est materia ingenio.

[10] quid ad primum consulatum secundus, etiam si censuram adicias? quid Asiatica legatio, et valetudine adversa inutilis et filii casu deformata et post reditum necessitate aut subeundi iudicii aut simul cum patria deserendi?

[11] Punici tamen belli perpetrati, quo nullum neque maius neque periculosius Romani gessere, unus praecipuam gloriam tulit.

Ab urbe condita Perseus (Livy in Fourteen Volumes. Foster, Benjamin Oliver; Moore, Frank Gardener; Schlesinger, Alfred C., editors. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press; London: William Heinemann, Ltd., 1919-1959 (printing).) — 43.23 focus

[1]

Rex cum non ¹ minore vexatione iumentorum hominumque quam venerat in Macedoniam rediit; Appium tamen ab obsidione Phanotes fama ducentis ad Stratum Persei summovit.

[2] Cleuas cum praesidio impigrorum iuvenum insecutus sub radicibus prope inviis montium ² ad mille hominum ex agmine impedito occidit, ad ducentos cepit.

[3] Appius superatis angustiis in campo quem Meleona vocant stativa dierum paucorum habuit. interim Cleuas assumpto Philostrato, qui quingentos ex ³ Epirotarum gente habebat, in agrum Antigonensem transcendit. ⁴ Macedones ad depopulationem profecti;

[4] Philostratus⁵ cum cohorte sua in insidiis loco ⁶ obscuro consedit. in palatos populatores cum erupissent ab Antigonea armati, ⁷ fugientes eos persequentes effusius in vallem insessam ab hostibus praecipitant.

[5] ibi ad mille ⁸ occisis, centum ferme captis, et ubique prospere gesta re prope stativa Appi castra movent, ne qua vis sociis suis ab Romano exercitu inferri possit.

[6] Appius nequiquam in his locis terens tempus, dimissis Chaonum Thesprotorumque ⁹ et si qui alii Epirotae erant praesidiis, cum Italicis militibus in Illyricum regressus, per Parthinorum ¹⁰ socias urbes in hiberna militibus divisis, ¹¹ ipse Romam sacrificii causa redit.

[7] Perseus ex Penestarum gente mille pedites, ducentos equites revocatos Cassandream, praesidio ut essent, misit.

[8] Ab Gentio eadem adferentes redierunt. nec deinde alios atque alios mittendo temptare eum destitit, cum appareret, quantum in eo praesidii esset, nec tamen impetrare ab animo posset, ut impensam in rem maximi ad omnia momenti faceret.

Ab urbe condita libri, erklärt von M. Weissenborn Perseus (Weissenborn, W.; Müller, H. J., editors. Berlin: Weidmannsche Buchhandlung, 1873-1883.) — 38.53 focus

[1]

adiecit decreto indignationem: ¹ sub pedibus vestris stabit, tribuni, domitor ille Africae Scipio ? ideo quattuor nobilissimos duces Poenorum in Hispania,

[2] quattuor exercitus fudit fugavit; ideo Syphacem cepit, Hannibalem devicit, Carthaginem vectigalem nobis fecit, Antiochum —

[3] recepit enim fratrem consortem huius gloriae L. Scipio — ultra Tauri iuga emovit, ut duobus Petilliis succumberet, vos de P. Africano palmam peteretis ? nullisne meritis suis,

[4] nullis vestris honoribus umquam in arcem tutam et velut sanctam clari viri pervenient, ubi, si non venerabilis, inviolata saltem senectus eorum considat?

[5] “ movit et decretum et adiecta oratio non ceteros modo, sed ipsos etiam accusatores, et deliberaturos se, quid iuris sui et officii esset, dixerunt.

[7] et Petillii vexati sunt probris, quod splendere aliena invidia voluissent et ² spolia ex Africani triumpho peterent.

[9] vir memorabilis; bellicis tamen quam pacis artibus memorabilior, prima pars vitae quam postrema fuit, quia in iuventa bella adsidue gesta, cum senecta res quoque defloruere, nec praebita est materia ingenio.

[11] Punici tamen belli perpetrati, quo nullum neque maius neque periculosius Romani gessere, unus praecipuam gloriam tulit. ³

Translations (2)

History of Rome Perseus (Spillan, D.; Edmonds, Cyrus; McDevitte, William A., translators. London: Henry G. Bohn, 1849-1868. (Bohn's Classical Library)) — 38.53 focus

[1]

Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus was, at that time, a plebeian tribune, and between him and Publius Scipio there was an enmity subsisting.

[2] When he had forbidden his name to be subscribed to the determination of his colleague, and every one expected from him a sentence more severe, he pronounced his judgment thus: that

Inasmuch as Lucius Scipio had pleaded sickness in excuse for his brother, that plea appeared to him to be sufficient: that he would not suffer Publius Scipio to be accused until he should return to Rome;

[3]

and even then, if he appealed to him, he would support him in refusing to abide a trial:

[4]

that Publius Scipio, by .his great achievements, by the honours received from the Roman people, by the joint consent of gods and men, had risen to such a height of dignity, that were he to stand as a criminal, under the rostrum, and afford a hearing to the insults of young men, it would reflect more disgrace on the Romans than on him.

To his decree he added the language of indignation:

Shall Scipio, the celebrated conqueror of Africa, stand at the feet of you, tribunes? Was it for this he defeated and routed, in Spain, four of the most distinguished generals of the Carthaginians, and their four armies?

[5]

Was it for this he took Syphax prisoner, conquered Hannibal, made Carthage tributary to you, and removed Antiochus beyond Mount Taurus (for Lucius Scipio received his brother Africanus as his associate in this glory); that he should crouch under two Petillii? that you should gain the palm of victory over Publius Africanus?

[6]

Will men of illustrious characters never, through their own merits, or through honours conferred by you, arrive at a safe and inviolable sanctuary, where their old age may repose, if not revered, at least secure from injury?

Both his decree and additional discourse made a deep impression, not only on the rest of the assembly, but even on the prosecutors; who said that they would consider further what might be consistent with their rights and duties.

[7] Afterwards, as soon as the assembly of the people broke up, the senate met, and at that meeting the warmest thanks were bestowed by the whole body, especially by the consular and elder members, on Tiberius Gracchus, for having consulted the public good in preference to private animosity; and the Petillii were assailed with severe insults, because they had endeavoured to become distinguished by exciting odium against another, and were seeking spoils from a triumph over Africanus.

[8] After that there was silence concerning Africanus. He passed the remainder of his life at Liternum, without a wish to revisit the city; and it is said that when he was dying he ordered his body to be buried in the country, in that very place, and his monument to be erected there, that even his obsequies might not be performed in his ungrateful country.

[9] He was a man of eminent merit; but more conspicuous in the affairs of war than in those of peace. The former part of his life was more illustrious than the latter, because in his early years wars were constantly carried on by him; with old age his exploits faded away, as occasions did not occur to call forth the exercise of his talents.

[10] What was his second consulship to his first, even if you should add to it the censorship? What, compared with it, was his commission in Asia, rendered useless by want of health, and clouded by the misfortune of his son, and the necessity to which it subjected him after his return, of either undergoing a trial, or withdrawing himself from that and his country together.

[11] However, he enjoyed alone the distinguished honour of putting an end to the Carthaginian war, which was by far the most difficult and dangerous war in which the Roman state was ever engaged.

History of Rome Perseus (Volumes 1-2. Roberts, Canon, Rev, translator. London, New York: J. M. Dent and Sons; E. P. Dutton and Co., 1912.) — 38.53 focus

[1]

He followed this up by an indignant speech: Is Scipio, the conqueror of Africa, to stand at your feet, tribunes?

[2] Was it for this that he broke and routed four armies in Spain under the most famous generals that Carthage possessed?

[3] Was it for this that he captured Syphax and crushed Hannibal, made Carthage tributary to us, removed Antiochus beyond the Taurus-for his brother Lucius allowed him to share his glory-was it simply that he might succumb to the two Petillii, and that you might claim the palm of victory over Publius Africanus.

[4] Will you allow the claim, citizens? Will illustrious men never either through their own merits or the honours you confer, reach a safe, and if I may say so, a sacred asylum where their old age may rest, if not venerated, at least inviolate?"

[5] His resolution and the speech which followed it had their effect upon the other tribunes, even upon the prosecutors, who said that they would deliberate as to what their right and duty demanded. After the Assembly broke up, a meeting of the senate was held.

[6] Here a most hearty vote of thanks to Tiberius Gracchus was passed by the whole order, especially the men of consular rank and the elder senators, for having placed the interests of the State before his own private feelings, and the Petillii were taunted with wanting to shine by darkening another's reputation and enrich themselves by a triumph over Africanus.

[7] After this nothing more was said about proceedings against Scipio. He passed his life at Liternum without any wish to return to the City, and it is said

[8] that on his death-bed he gave orders that he should be buried and his monument set up there, so that there might be no funeral rites performed for him by his ungrateful country. He was an extraordinary man, more distinguished, however in the arts of war than in those of peace.

[9] The earlier part of his life was more brilliant than the later; as a young man he was constantly engaged in war; with advancing years the glory of his achievements faded, and there was nothing to call forth his genius. What additional lustre did his second consulship confer as compared with his first, or even his censorship?

[10] What further distinction did he gain during his subordinate command in Asia, rendered useless through bad health and saddened by the misfortune which overtook his son? Then, again, after his return he was under the necessity of either standing his trial or of absenting himself from his native city.

[11] Still, he alone won the unique glory of bringing the war with Carthage to a close, the greatest and most serious war that the Romans have ever waged.

Notes on the current edition

Ab Urbe Condita With An English Translation, books 1-10, 21-45, with periochae 11-20

1. One infers from this and from liv. 1 below that the death of Scipio soon followed, but in XXXIX. lii. 1 his death is said to have occurred in 183 B.C. The same uncertainty prevailed regarding his burial-place and the circumstances of his death, on which Livy declines to express an opinion. He gives, however, in chap. lvi. below, some interesting historical criticism which contrasts strangely with his dogmatic statements elsewhere (but note ferunt in this section).

2. B.C. 187

3. Cf. XXXVII. xxxiii. 4-7.

Titus Livius (Livy) Ab urbe condita 38.53

Benjamin Oliver Foster, Ph.D. (Editor), Frank Gardener Moore (Editor), Evan T. Sage, Ph.D. (Editor), Alfred C. Schlesinger, Ph.D. (Editor)

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