Titus Livius (Livy), Ab urbe condita, Benjamin Oliver Foster, Ph.D. (Editor), Frank Gardener Moore (Editor), Alfred C. Schlesinger, Ph.D. (Editor), 28.40

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[1]

cum Africam novam provinciam extra sortem P. Scipioni destinari homines fama ferrent, et ipse nulla iam modica gloria contentus non ad gerendum modo bellum, sed ad finiendum diceret se consulem declaratum esse, ¹

[2] neque aliter id ² fieri posse quam si ipse in Africam exercitum transportasset, ³ et acturum se id per populum aperte ferret, si senatus adversaretur,—id consilium haudquaquam primoribus patrum cum placeret, ceteri ⁴ per metum aut ambitionem mussarent,

[3] Q. Fabius Maximus rogatus sententiam: " scio multis vestrum videri, patres conscripti, rem actam hodierno die agi et frustra habiturum orationem qui tamquam de integra re de Africa provincia sententiam dixerit.

[4] ego autem primum illud ignoro, quem ad modum certa iam ⁵ provincia ⁶ Africa consulis, viri fortis ac strenui, sit, quam nec nee senatus censuit in hunc annum provinciam esse nec populus iussit.

[5] deinde , si est, consulem peccare arbitror qui de re transacta simulando se referre senatum ludibrio habet, non senatorem ⁷ qui de quo consulitur suo loco dicit sententiam.

[6] atque ego certum habeo dissentienti mihi ab ista festinatione in Africam traiciendi duarum rerum subeundam opinionem esse:

[7] unius, insitae ingenio meo cunctationis, quam metum pigritiamque homines adulescentes sane appellent, dum ne ⁸ paeniteat adhuc aliorum speciosiora primo aspectu consilia semper visa, mea usu meliora;

[8] alterius, obtrectationis atque invidiae adversus crescentem in dies gloriam fortissimi consulis.

[9] a qua suspicione si me neque vita acta et mores mei neque dictatura cum quinque consulatibus tantumque gloriae belli domique partae vindicat ut propius fastidium eius sim quam desiderium, aetas saltem liberet. ⁹ quae enim mihi aemulatio cum eo esse potest qui ne filio quidem meo aequalis sit?

[10] me dictatorem, cum vigerem adhuc viribus et in cursu maximarum rerum essem, recusantem nemo aut in senatu aut apud ¹⁰ populum audivit quo minus insectanti me magistro equitum, quod fando numquam ante auditum erat, imperium mecum aequaretur;

[11] rebus quam verbis adsequi malui ut qui aliorum ¹¹¹² iudicio mihi comparatus erat sua mox confessione me sibi praeferret;

[12] nedum ego perfunctus honoribus certamina mihi atque aemulationem ¹³ cum adulescente florentissimo proponam:

[13] videlicet ut mihi iam vivendo, non solum rebus gerendis fesso, si huic negata fuerit, Africa provincia decernatur. cum ea gloria quae parta est vivendum atque moriendum est.

[14] vincere ego prohibui Hannibalem, ut a vobis quorum vigent nunc vires etiam vinci posset.

Ab urbe condita. Titus Livius (Livy). Benjamin Oliver Foster, Ph.D. (Editor), Frank Gardener Moore (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

Ab urbe condita (Latin) (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).)

Editions (2)

Ab urbe condita Perseus (Pars I-IV, Libri I-XL. Editio Stereotypica. Weissenborn, Wilhelm; Mueller, Moritz, editors. Leipzig: Teubner, 1884-1911.) — 28.40 focus

[1] cum Africam novam provinciam extra sortem P. Scipioni destinari homines fama ferrent, et ipse nulla iam modica gloria contentus non ad gerendum modo bellum, sed ad finiendum diceret se consulem declaratum esse,

[2] neque aliter id fieri posse, quam si ipse in Africam exercitum transportasset, et acturum se id per populum aperte ferret, si senatus adversaretur, — id consilium haudquaquam primoribus patrum cum placeret, ceteri per metum aut ambitionem mussarent,

[3] Q. Fabius Maximus rogatus sententiam: “scio multis vestrum videri, patres conscripti, rem actam hodierno die agi, et frustra habiturum orationem, qui tamquam de integra re de Africa provincia sententiam dixerit.

[4] ego autem primum illud ignoro, quem ad modum certa iam provincia Africa consulis viri fortis ac strenui sit, quam nec senatus censuit in hunc annum provinciam esse nec populus iussit.

[5] deinde, si est, consulem peccare arbitror, qui de re transacta simulando se referre senatum ludibrio habet, non senatorem, qui de quo consulitur suo loco dicit sententiam.

[6] atque ego certum habeo dissentienti mihi ab ista festinatione in Africam traiciendi duarum rerum subeundam opinionem esse:

[7] unius, insitae ingenio meo cunctationis, quam metum pigritiamque homines adulescentes sane appellent, dum me ne paeniteat adhuc aliorum speciosiora primo aspectu consilia semper visa, mea usu meliora; alterius,

[8] obtrectationis atque invidiae adversus crescentem in dies gloriam fortissimi consulis.

[9] a qua suspicione si me neque vita acta et mores mei neque dictatura cum quinque consulatibus tantumque gloriae belli domique partae vindicat, ut propius fastidium eius sim quam desiderium, aetas saltem liberet. quae enim mihi aemulatio cum eo esse potest, qui ne filio quidem meo aequalis sit?

[10] me dictatorem, cum vigerem adhuc viribus et in cursu maximarum rerum essem, recusantem nemo aut in senatu aut apud populum audivit, quo minus insectanti me magistro equitum, quod fando numquam ante auditum erat, imperium mecum aequaretur;

[11] rebus quam verbis adsequi malui, ut qui aliorum iudicio mihi comparatus erat, sua mox confessione me sibi praeferret;

[12] nedum ego perfunctus honoribus certamina mihi atque aemulationes cum adulescente florentissimo proponam:

[13] videlicet ut mihi iam vivendo, non solum rebus gerendis fesso, si huic negata fuerit, Africa provincia decernatur. cum ea gloria, quae parta est, vivendum atque moriendum est.

[14] vincere ego prohibui Hannibalem ut a vobis, quorum vigent nunc vires, etiam vinci posset.

Ab urbe condita Perseus (Conway, Robert Seymour; Walters, Charles Flamstead; Johnson, Stephen Keymer, editors. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1914-1935. (Oxford Classical Texts)) — 28.40 focus

[1]

cum Africam nouam prouinciam extra sortem P. Scipioni destinari homines fama ferrent, et ipse nulla iam modica gloria contentus non ad gerendum modo bellum sed ad finiendum diceret se consulem declaratum,

[2] neque id aliter fieri posse quam si ipse in Africam exercitum transportasset, et acturum se id per populum aperte ferret si senatus aduersaretur,—id consilium haudquaquam primoribus patrum cum placeret, ceteri per metum aut ambitionem mussarent,

[3] Q. Fabius Maximus rogatus sententiam: 'scio multis uestrum uideri, patres conscripti, rem actam hodierno die agi et frustra habiturum orationem qui tamquam de integra re de Africa prouincia sententiam dixerit.

[4] ego autem primum illud ignoro quemadmodum iam certa prouincia Africa consulis, uiri fortis ac strenui, sit, quam nec senatus censuit in hunc annum prouinciam esse nec populus iussit.

[5] deinde, si est, consulem peccare arbitror qui de re transacta simulando se referre senatum ludibrio habet, non senatorem qui de quo consulitur suo loco dicit sententiam.

[6] atque ego certum habeo dissentienti mihi ab ista festinatione in Africam traiciendi duarum rerum subeundam opinionem esse,

[7] unius, insitae ingenio meo cunctationis, quam metum pigritiamque homines adulescentes sane appellent, dum ne paeniteat adhuc aliorum speciosiora primo adspectu consilia semper uisa, mea usu meliora;

[8] alterius, obtractationis atque inuidiae aduersus crescentem in dies gloriam fortissimi consulis.

[9] a qua suspicione si me neque uita acta et mores mei neque dictatura cum quinque consulatibus tantumque gloriae belli domique partae uindicat ut propius fastidium eius sim quam desiderium, aetas saltem liberet. quae enim mihi aemulatio cum eo esse potest qui ne filio quidem meo aequalis sit?

[10] me dictatorem cum uigerem adhuc uiribus et in cursu maximarum rerum essem recusantem nemo aut in senatu aut apud populum audiuit quo minus insectanti me magistro equitum, quod fando nunquam ante auditum erat, imperium mecum aequaretur;

[11] rebus quam uerbis adsequi malui ut qui aliquorum iudicio mihi comparatus erat sua mox confessione me sibi praeferret;

[12] nedum ego perfunctus honoribus certamina mihi atque aemulationem cum adulescente florentissimo proponam;

[13] uidelicet ut mihi iam uiuendo non solum rebus gerendis fesso, si huic negata fuerit, Africa prouincia decernatur. cum ea gloria quae parta est uiuendum atque moriendum est.

[14] uincere ego prohibui Hannibalem ut a uobis quorum uigent nunc uires etiam uinci posset.

Translations (3)

History of Rome Perseus (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)) — 28.40 focus

[1]

While it was commonly reported that without casting lots Africa was to be assigned to Publius Scipio as a new province, he himself, no longer satisfied with moderate fame, kept saying that he had been named consul not only to carry on the war but also to finish it.

[2] This was impossible unless he should himself transport his army to Africa, he said, openly declaring that he would accomplish that result by popular vote if the senate should oppose.

[3] This plan being by no means approved by the leading senators, while because of fear or else to curry favour, all the rest failed to speak out, Quintus Fabius Maximus, when asked his opinion, said: "I know that many of you, conscript fathers, hold that we are today debating a closed question, and that whoever expresses an opinion on Africa as a province, just as if it were an open question, will be speaking to no purpose.

[4] For myself, however, in the first place I do not understand how Africa is already definitely ¹ assigned to that brave and energetic man, the consul, since neither has the senate voted nor the people commanded ² that it be a province for this year.

[5] In the second place, if it is his, I think that the consul who mocks the senate by pretending to bring before the house business upon which action has been taken is at fault, not a senator who in his proper order states his opinion on the matter under consideration.

[6] And I am quite certain that in opposing such haste to cross over into Africa I must expose myself to two charges, first, of an inborn habit of delay,

[7] which young men are free to call fear and lack of spirit, provided there are as yet no regrets that other men's policies have always appeared at first sight more attractive, mine the better in practice.

[8] Secondly, they will accuse me of carping criticism and envy towards the daily increasing fame of a very brave consul.

[9] From this suspicion if neither my past life and my character nor my dictatorship and five consulships can defend me, together with so much glory won in the field and at home that I tend to be sated rather than to crave it, may my years at least bring exemption. For what rivalry can I have with a man who is not even my son's contemporary?

[10] In my dictatorship, although I was still at the height of my powers and in the stream of great events, no one heard me refuse either in the senate or before the people to have the command of my master of the horse, who was inveighing against me, made equal to mine, a thing which never had been heard of before. ³

[11] By acts rather than words I preferred to gain this ⁴ result, that one who by the verdict of other men had been made my colleague should presently by his own admission place me above himself.

[12] Much less would I, who have filled the high offices, set before me competition and rivalry with a young man in the very flower of his youth, with the intention,

[13] of course, of having Africa, if it be denied him, awarded as a province to me, who am now worn out by mere living, not only by cares of state. With such glory as has been already earned must I live and die.

[14] I have prevented Hannibal from conquering, in order that you men whose powers are still strong might even conquer him.

History of Rome Perseus (Spillan, D.; Edmonds, Cyrus; McDevitte, William A., translators. London: Henry G. Bohn, 1849-1868. (Bohn's Classical Library)) — 28.40 focus

[1]

It being generally reported that Africa, as a new province, was destined for Publius Scipio without casting lots; and he himself, not content with any moderate share of glory, asserting that he had been declared consul, not only for prosecuting, but for finishing the war;

[2] that that object could not be accomplished by any other means than by his transporting an army into Africa; and himself openly declaring that he would do it through the people if the senate opposed him; the design by no means pleased the principal senators; and when the rest, either through fear or a wish to ingratiate themselves with him, only murmured, Quintus Fabius Maximus, being asked his opinion, thus spoke:

[3] "I know, conscript fathers, that by many of you the question which is this day agitated is considered as already determined; and that the man who shall deliver his sentiments on the subject of making Africa a province, as a new proposal, will speak to little purpose.

[4] But, in the first place, I cannot see how it can be considered as determined, that Africa shall be the province of the consul, that brave and active officer, when neither the senate have voted nor the people ordered that it should be constituted a province this year.

[5] In the next place, if it is determined, I think the consul is to blame, who, by pretending to consult the senate on a question already decided, insults that body, and not the senator only who delivers his sentiments in his place on the subject of deliberation.

[6] Now I am well aware, that by disapproving of this excessive eagerness to pass over into Africa, I subject myself to two imputations: one grounded on the caution inherent in my disposition, which young men may if they please call cowardice and

[7] sloth, so long as we have the consolation to reflect, that though hitherto the measures of others have always appeared on the first view of them the more plausible, mine on experience have proved the sounder.

[8] The other imputation is that of jealousy and envy towards the daily increasing glory of this most valiant consul.

[9] But if neither my past life and character, nor a dictatorship, together with five consulships, and so much glory acquired, both in peace and war, that I am more likely to loathe it than desire more, exempt me from such a suspicion, let my age at least acquit me. For what rivalry can there exist between myself and a man who is not equal in years even to my son?

[10] When I was dictator, when as yet in the possession of full vigour, and engaged in a series of affairs of the utmost magnitude, no one heard me, either in the senate or in the popular assembly, express any reluctance to have the command equally shared between myself and the master of the horse, at the time when he was maligning me; a proposition which no one ever heard mention of before.

[11] I chose to bring it about by actions rather than by words, that he who was placed on the same footing with me in the judgment of others, should soon by his own confession declare me his superior.

[12] Much less, after having passed through these honours, would I propose to myself to enter the lists of competition and rivalry with a man in the very bloom of youth.

[13] And that, forsooth, in order that Africa, if it shall have been denied to him, may be assigned as a province to me, who am now weary of life, and not merely of active employments. I must live and die with that share of glory which I have already acquired.

[14] I prevented Hannibal from conquering, in order that he might even be conquered by you, whose powers are now in full vigour.

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.) — 28.40 focus

[1]

The next question before the senate concerned the raising of troops and the distribution of the various commands. There was a rumour that Africa was to form a new province and be allotted to Scipio without having recourse to the ballot. Scipio himself, no longer contented with a moderate share of glory, was telling people that he had been returned as consul not simply to carry on the war but to bring it to an end, and the only way of doing that was for him to take an army over to Africa.

[2] In the event of the senate's opposition he asserted openly that he would carry his proposal by the authority of the people.

[3] The project was most distasteful to the leaders of the senate, and as the rest of the senators, afraid of becoming unpopular, refused to speak out, Q. Fabius Maximus was asked for his opinion.

[4] This he gave in the following speech: "I am quite aware, senators, that many of you regard the question before us today as already decided, and consider that any one who discusses the destination of Africa as though it were still an open question is wasting words.

[5] I do not quite understand, however, how Africa can have been definitely assigned as the province of our gallant and energetic consul, when neither the senate nor the people have decided that it shall be included amongst the provinces for the year.

[6] If it has been so assigned then I think the consul is quite wrong in inviting a sham discussion upon a measure that has been decided upon; he is not only stultifying the senate as a body, but each individual senator who is called upon in turn for his opinion.

[7] "In expressing my dissent from those who think that we ought at once to invade Africa, I am quite conscious that I expose myself to two imputations.

[8] For one thing my action will be set down to my cautious nature. Young men may call it timidity and indolence if they please, as long as we have no cause to regret that though the counsels of others have seemed at first sight more attractive, experience shows that mine are better. The other charge against me will be that I am actuated by motives of malevolence and envy against the ever-growing glory of our most gallant consul.

[9] If my past life, my character, my dictatorship and five consulships, the glory I have acquired as a citizen and as a soldier, a glory so great as to produce surfeit rather than a desire for more-if these do not shield me from this imputation at least let my age free me from it.

[10] What rivalry can exist between myself and a man who is not even as old as my son?

[11] When I was Dictator, in the full maturity of my powers and engaged in most important operations my authority was by an unheard-of innovation divided with the Master of the Horse. Yet no one ever heard a word of protest from me either in the senate or in the Assembly, even when he was pursuing me with abuse.

[12] It was through my actions rather than my words that I wished the man whom others considered my equal to be compelled to admit his inferiority to me.

[13] And am I, who have received all the honours that the State can confer, to enter into competition with one who is in the full flower of his youth?

[14] And simply that if Africa is refused to him, it may be granted to me, tired as I am not only of public business but of life itself? No, I must live and die with the glory that I have won. I have prevented Hannibal from conquering in order that he might be conquered by those of you who are in the full vigour of your powers."

Notes on the current edition

Ab urbe condita

1. esse P (1) n Aldus, Froben, Eds.: om. SN3 JK Conway.

2. aliter id P (1) n Aldus: id aliter SSpJK.

3. transportasset SSpJ Froben 2: -taret P (1) NK Aldus.

4. ceteri P (3) SJK: ceterique C 2 AN Aldus, Froben: et ceteri Madvig .

5. certa iam P (1) n Aldus: iam certa SJK Froben 2.

6. A.U.C. 549

7. senatorem, P (1) n Aldus add modo.

8. ne COD Gronovius, Eds.: me P (1) N: me non SA3 N3 JK Aldus , Froben, Luchs: me ne Weissenborn conj., Riemann.

9. liberet P (1) NJK Aldus: -rat SPp Froben 2.

10. apud ( or -ut) P (1) Aldus : om. N: ad SSpN3 JK Froben 2.

11. aliorum P (1) n Aldus, Eds.: aliquorum SN3 JK Froben 2, Conway .

12. A.U.C. 549

13. aemulationem ( or em-) CDAN Aldus: -ne P (3): -nes SA3 JK Froben 2.

Titus Livius (Livy) Ab urbe condita 28.40

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

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