SCIPIO, AFRICANUS (THE ELDER), PUBLIUS CortNELIus, one of the greatest of the Romans, born B. c. 234. He is said to have saved his father's life at the battle of the Ticinus, and prevented the desertion of the young nobles after the defeat at Cannx. At the age of 24 he was chosen to command, as pro-consul, in Spain, where he laid siege to the city of Carthago Nova and took it the same year. His humane conduct on becoming master of the city excited general enthu siasm. He was even offered the sover eignty of Spain, but declined to be more than general of the Roman people. Dur ing the next three years Scipio made him self master of all Spain except the town of Gades. In order to prepare the way for the invasion of the Carthaginian ter ritory he made a secret visit to the court of Syphax, King of Numidia, and won his alliance. In 206 he returned to Rome and was chosen consul for the next year. Sicily was given to him as his province, and leading an army of volunteers, he crossed, in 264, into Africa, and began the siege of Utica, but on the approach of Hasdrubal retired into winter quar ters. In the spring he burnt the camp of the enemy, and destroyed the fugitive forces. Syphax, who had joined Hasdru
bal, was captured, and Cirta surrendered to the conquerors. Hannibal was called to oppose Scipio in Africa, and the sec ond Punic War was terminated by the total defeat of Hannibal at the battle of Zama, Oct. 19, 202. Peace was signed the next year, and Scipio, on his return home, had the most splendid triumph, and received the surname Africanus. He de clined other honors which were offered him; was subsequently censor, consul a second time, and in 193 ambassador to Antiochus, King of Syria, at whose court he is said to have met Hannibal. Hav ing accompanied his brother Lucius to the Syrian War as lieutenant in 190, they were accused of misappropriation of mon eys received from Antiochus. Cato was the leader of the party opposed to and the prosecution of Lucius was suc cessful, but that of Africanus was dropped by the advice of Tiberius Grac chus. The popularity of Scipio had waned, and he left Rome never to return. He died at his villa, in Liternum, 183 B. C., the same year in which Hannibal died.