to, that every body agreed there never was a more pompous encomium given, or a more just one. [b] For he reported those actions, with the same elevation of mind, and the same greatness of soul, that he had shewed in doing them. Nor was any one offended at hearing him commend himself, as his speaking in that manner arose from a necessity of defending himself, and not a desire of extolling. The whole time was spent in debates, and night coming on, the judgment was deferred to another day.

When that day came, Scipio appeared witha number of clients and friends, and, after silence proclaimed, "It was on the same day with this, says he to the tribunes, that I conquered Hannibal and the Cartha

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ginians near Carthage. As therefore it is not rea➡sonable to spend it in debate and contest, I shall go "directly to the capitol, and give thanks for this victory, to Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva, and all the gods who inhabit there. Attend me in this duty of religion and gratitude, as many of you as have "leisure, and pray the gods to give you commanders "like me; if it be true, that from the time of my "being seventeen years old, in proportion as you have conferred honours upon me, exceeding my years, 'I have also endeavoured to anticipate your suffrages by my services." Having spoke thus, he went straight to the capitol, whither the whole assembly followed him, to the very officers of the tribunes, who saw themselves deserted by all mankind except their slaves. This was the most glorious day in Scipio's ife, and, in point of real grandeur, had something more splendid and memorable in it, than that whereon

[b] Dicebantur enim ab eodem animo ingenioque à quo gesta

quia pro periculo, non in gloriam, referebantur. Liv. 1. xxxviii n. 50.

he entered Rome, triumphant over Syphax and the Carthaginians.

From that day, which may be looked upon as the last of so glorious a life, he retired to Liternum to avoid the jealousy and malignity of his accusers, with a resolution not to be present at the trial of his cause, which had been put off. [c] He had too high a spirit, and had hitherto supported too great a character in the republic, to be able to descend to the form of a trial.

When the day of trial was come, his brother Scipio laid the cause of his absence upon a troublesome illness, which would not permit of a journey to Rome, His accusers, laying hold of his retirement to render him still more odious to the people required that he should be taken by force from his country-house, and brought to Rome against his inclination, to answer to the accusations he stood charged with. Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus, one of the tribunes of the people, who had ever been the enemy of Scipio, not being able to endure that he should be treated with such indignity, declared in his favour, and, full of resentment against his colleagues: "What, tribunes, says he, shall this

conqueror of Spain and Africa be trod on by you? "has he defeated four Carthaginian generals, cut to "pieces and put to flight four great armies in Spain, "conquered Syphax, Hannibal, and Antiochus (for "his brother is willing to divide the honour of this last victory with him) only to fall by the hatred and envy of the two Petilli? [d] Are then no merits no honours, sufficient to procure a safe retreat, a "sacred and inviolable asylum for great men, where "their old age, if it cannot command respect, may "at least be protected from insult and outrage." This discourse was received with general applause, and

[c] Major animus & fortuna erat, ac majori fortunæ assuetus, quàm ut reus esse sciret, & summittere se in humilitatem caufam dicentium. Liv. lib. xxxviii. n. 52.

[d] Nullis ne meritis suis, nullis

vestris honoribus, unquam in arcen tutam, & velut sanctam, clari vii pervenient ubi, sinon venerabilis inviolata faltem senectus eorun confidat? Ib. n. 53.

Scipio past the rest of his life at Liternum, without so much as desiring to see Rome any more, and caused a tomb to be erected there for him, that he might not be buried in an ungrateful country.

THE DEATH OF HANNIBAL.

Hannibal not thinking himself any longer secure in the dominions of Antiochus, retired to Prusias king of Bithynia. [e] But the Romans did not suffer him to rest there, but sent Quintius Flaminius to that king, to complain of the refuge he gave him. It was by no means difficult for Hannibal to guess at the cause of this embassy, but he did not expect that he should be delivered into the hands of his enemies. He instantly attempted to escape by flight, but perceived that the seven private passages he had made to his palace, were all seized by the soldiers of Prusias, who designed to make his court to the Romans by betray

ing his guest. He then caused poison to be brought

him, which he had long kept by him to make use of upon occasion, and holding it in his hands: "Let

us deliver, says he, the Roman people from an un"easinesss which so long torments them, since they "have not patience to wait for an old man's death. "The victory which Flaminius gains over a man dis"disarmed and betrayed, will not be much for his "honour. This day alone shews how much the Ro"mans are degenerated. Their fathers advised Pyrrhus to guard against a traitor, who designed "to poison him at the very time that prince was making war upon them in the heart of Italy. And now they have sent a person of consular dignity, "to engage Prusias to put his friend and host to

[e] Liv. lib. xxxix. n. 51.

"death, and commit an abominable crime." And then, uttering imprecations against Prusias, and calling upon the gods, who were the guardians and avengers of the sacred rites of hospitality, to punish him, he drank up the poison, and died.

Such was the end of the two greatest men of their age, who both fell by the jealousy of their enemies, and experienced the ingratitude of their country.

THE WAR AGAINST PERSEUS THE LAST KING
OF MACEDON.

Perseus had succeeded his father Philip in the kingdom of Macedon, and twenty years were now passed since the peace made with Antiochus.

[f] The Romans, having long dissembled several causes of discontent they had against Perseus, resolved at last to make war upon him, unless he gave them satisfaction. [g] This prince had neither honour nor religion, and made no scruple to employ calumny, murder and poison, for the attainment of his ends, Blinded and corrupted by the flatteries of his courtiers, he thought himself a great soldier, and capable of subduing the Romans. For which reason he answered their deputies with such haughtiness and pride, as obliged them to declare war against him upon the spot. Some small successes in his first campaign served only to make him the more adventurous. [h] However, he followed the counsel which was given him, which was to make the best use of the advantage he had gained in a battle, in order to obtain more favourable conditions of peace, rather than to hazard all upon an uncertain hope. He therefore made the [i] consul very advantageous offers. [k] In the council of war, which was held upon this occasion, the Roman

[f] Liv. lib. xlii. n. 25,31, [g] Hunc per omnia clandestina grassari scelera latrociniorum ac veneficiorum cernebant. lb, n. 18,

[b] Ausi sunt quidam amicorum consilium dare, ut secundâ fortunâ

in conditiones honestæ pacis ute

tus in casum irrevocabilem daret. Ib. n. 62,

[] Publius Licinius Crassus. [k] Romana constantia vicit i concilio. Ita tum mos erat, in ad versis vultum secundæ fortunæ ge rere moderari animos in secundis

expect, but by submitting entirely to the discretion of he Roman people, and leaving the decision of his ate to them. All hope of accommodation being at at end, both sides prepared for continuing the war. [7] The new consul entered Macedonia, and marched o attack the king in his own country. However, as he affair was of much longer duration than had been expected, the Romans grew very uneasy.

[m] Paulus Æmilius being chosen consul, and the var against Perseus committed to his care, they conceived better hopes, and he put himself into a conlition not to deceive them. Before his departure, he thought proper to make a speech to the people, wherein he besought them not to give credit to any lying reports, that should be rumoured against his conduct. That there was a kind of idle unexperienced men, who could make war in their closets at their case, and if their views and schemes were not followed, were apt to censure the general in public companies, and pass sentence upon him. That he did not refuse to receive advice, but it must be from persons hat were upon the spot.

[n] When he arrived in Macedonia, and drew near he enemy, the troops, full of ardour, desired to charge hem immediately; and a young officer of great me-it, named Nasica, pressed him to lay hold of the opportunity, and not let an enemy escape, whose flights and precipitate retreats had given so much exercise to his predecessors. He commended the warmth of the young officer and the soldiers, but did not comply with their desire. The march had been long and painful, in a very hot summer's day, and the army exremely fatigued with dust, drought, weariness, and the [ Liv. lib. xliv. n. 1, &c. [2] Ib. n. 36.