Miscellaneous

Prayer of Scipio Africanus (while en route to Carthage in 204 BC)
"Ye gods and goddesses, who inhabit the seas and the lands, I supplicate and beseech you that whatever has been done under my command, or is being done, or will later be done, may turn out to my advantage and to the advantage of the people and the commons of Rome, the allies, and the Latins who by land or sea or on rivers follow me, [accepting] the leadership, the authority, and the auspices of the Roman people; that you will support them and aid them with your help; that you will grant that, preserved in safety and victorious over the enemy, arrayed in booty and laden with spoils, you will bring them back with me in triumph to our homes; that you will grant us the power to take revenge upon our enemies and foes; and that you will grant to me and the Roman people the power to enforce upon the Carthaginians what they have planned to do against our city, as an example of [divine] punishment."

Epitaph of Scipio Africanus- Q. Ennius
From the sun rising above the marshes of Maeotia
There is no one who may be equal in deeds.
If is it right for anyone to rise into the regions of the gods,
For me alone the greatest gate of heaven stands open.

A Random Quote from Scipio Africanus
"I'm never less at leisure than when at leisure, or less alone than when alone."

A conversation between Scipio and Hannibal, recorded by Livy
Scipio had asked Hannibal whom he considered to be the greatest commander in the world.
"'Alexander [the Great of Macedonia],' was the reply.  [Scipio] Africanus then asked whom he would put second, and Hannibal replied, 'Pyrrhus.'  On Scipio's again asking whom he regarded as the third, Hannibal, without hesitating, answered, 'Myself.'  Scipio smiled and asked, 'What would you say if you had vanquished me?'  'In that case,' replied Hannibal, 'I should say that I surpassed Alexander and Pyrrhus, and all other commanders in the world.'"

Images

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Bronze sculpture of Scipio Africanus discovered in Herculaneum.

Alternate angle.  Okay, so eye candy he ain't.

Portrait on a silver coin found in New Carthage.



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