A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. By various writers. Ed. by William Smith. Illustrated by numerous engravings on wood.

-SCIPIO. SCIPIO. 745
tifex maxinus, and could not, therefore, leave Africa, not far from Utica. The force which he
Italy. Consequently if the war was to be carried brought with him is stated so differently that it is
on abroad, the conduct of it must of necessity de- impossible to determine what its numbers were,
volve upon Scipio. The latter was anxious to cross some accounts making it as low as 12,200, others
over at once to Africa, and bring the contest to an as high as 35,000 men. As soon as Scipio landed
end at the gates of Carthage; but the oldest mem- he was joined by Masinissa, who rendered him
bers of the senate, and among them Q. Fabius the most important services in the war. With his
Maximus, opposed his project, partly through ti- assistance he obtained some advantages over the
midity and partly through jealousy of the youthful enemy [see HANNO, NO. 23], but was unable to
conqueror. All that Scipio could obtain was the obtain possession of Utica, where he was anxious
province of Sicily, with permission to cross over to to establish his quarters for the winter. He was
Africa, if he should think it for the advantage of therefore obliged to pass the winter on a projecting
the republic; but the senate resolutely refused him headland, which he fortified. Meantime the Caran army, thus making the permission reluctantly thaginians had collected a powerful army which
granted of no practical use. But the allies had a they placed under the command of Hasdrubal, son
truer view of the interests of Italy than the of Gisco, Scipio's old opponent in Spain, and
Roman senate: what the latter, blinded by their Syphax came to their assistance with a great force.
fears and their jealousy, refused, the Italian allies Towards the close of the winter, in the early part
generously granted; and from all the towns of of B. c. 203, Hasdrubal and Syphax meditated a
Italy volunteers flocked to join the standard of the general attack upon the land and sea forces of
youthful hero, and to enable him to subdue Car- Scipio; but the latter, who was informed of their
thage without_the aid of the Roman government, plan by some Numidians, anticipated them by an
The senate could not refuse to allow him to enlist attack upon their two encampments in the night.
volunteers; and such was the enthusiasm in his With the assistance of Masinissa, his enterprise
favour, that he was able to cross over to Sicily with was crowned with success; the two camps were
an army and a fleet contrary to the expectations burnt to the ground, and only a few of the enemy
and even the wishes of the senate. While busy escaped the fire and the sword. Among these, howwith his preparations in Sicily he sent over Laelius ever, were both Hasdrubal and Syphax; the former
to Africa with a small fleet to concert a plan of fled to Carthage, where he persuaded the senate to
co-operation with Masinissa, and to convince his raise another army, and the latter retreated to his
opponents that the invasion of Africa was not such native dominions, where he likewise collected fresh
a mad and impracticable project as they supposed. troops. But their united forces were again deBut meanwhile his enemies at Rome had nearly feated by Scipio. Hasdrubal did not venture to
succeeded in depriving him of his command. Al- make his appearance again in Carthage; and
though he had no command in Lower Italy, he Syphax once more fled into Numidia. Scipio, howhad assisted in the reduction of Locri, and after ever, did not give the Numidian prince any repose;
the conquest of the town had left his legate, he was pursued by Laelius and Masinissa, and
Q. Pleminius, in command of the place. The latter finally taken prisoner. Among the captives who
had been guilty of such acts of excesses against fell into their hands was Sophonisba, the wife of
the inhabitants, that they sent an embassy to the Syphax, whom Masinissa had long loved, and had
Roman senate to complain of his conduct. In the expected to marry when she was given to his rival.
course of the investigation it was alleged that He now hastened to marry her; but the wellScipio had allowed Pleminius to continue in the known story of the tragical termination of these
command after he had been fully informed of the nuptials is related elsewhere. [SoPHONISBA.]
misconduct of his lieutenant; and thereupon Q. These repeated disasters so alarmed the CarthaFabius Maximus and his other enemies eagerly ginians that they resolved to recall Hannibal and
availed themselves of the opportunity to inveigh in Mago from Italy. At the same time they opened
general against the conduct of Scipio, and to press negotiations with Scipio for a peace. The terms
for his immediate recall. Scipio's magnificent style which Scipio offered were not objected to by the
of living, and his love for Greek literature and art, Carthaginians, and a suspension of arms for fortywere denounced as dangerous innovations upon old five days was agreed to, while a Carthaginian emRoman manners and frugality; and they asserted bassy went to Rome. It would appear, however,
that the time which ought to be given to the exer- that the great mass of the Carthaginian people were
cise and the training of his troops was wasted in not in reality anxious for peace, and only wanted
the Greek gymnasia or in literary pursuits. Though to gain time till Hannibal's arrival in Africa. Bethe senate lent a willing ear to these attacks, they fore the time had expired, a Carthaginian mob
did not venture upon his immediate recall, but plundered some ships which were bringing prosent a commission into Sicily to inquire into the visions for Scipio's army, and then insulted the
state of the army; and if the charges against him ambassadors whom he had sent to demand restituwere well founded, to order him to return to tion. As soon as Hannibal arrived, hostilities
Rome. The commissioners arrived in Sicily at were re-commenced against the Romans. The
the beginning of B. C. 204. During the winter Carthaginian army was numerically superior to the
Scipio had been busy in completing his prepara- Romans, but inferior in discipline and skill. Still
tions; and by this time he had collected all his the presence of Hannibal gave the nation constores, and brought his army and navy into the fidence, and they looked forward to a favourable
most efficient state. The commissioners were asto- ternination of the war. Hannibal, however, formed
nished at what they saw. Instead of ordering him a truer estimate of the real state of affairs; he
to return to Rome, they bade him cross over to saw that the loss of a battle would be the ruin of
Africa as soon as possible. Carthage, and was therefore anxious to conclude a
Accordingly in a. c. 204, Scipio, who was now peace before it was too late. Scipio, who was
proconsul, sailed from Lilybaeum and landed in anxious to have the glory of bringing the war to a