Scipio the Younger

(Publius Cornelius Scipio Aemilanus Africanus )

185–129 BC

SCIPIO THE YOUNGER SHIELDS HIS EYES AS CARTHAGE BURNS

Scipio Aemilianus Africanus was the biological son of Aemilius Paulus, under whom he fought at the Battle of Pydna. After his father's death, he was adopted into the Scipio family, and thereby assumed the Scipio name. He was a great patron of Greek and Roman literature, and was a close friend of the poets Lucilius and Terence, and Polybius the historian. He was also a well-respected soldier, who fought bravely in the Numantine War in Spain. He was elected consul when only 31, and given charge of the Siege of Carthage, which had previously been ill-managed. In one year the city succumbed and was destroyed. Scipio is said to have quoted a line from Homer's sack of Troy and wondered aloud if Rome would ever share the fate of Carthage.

Scipio continued in public life for fifteen years after the destruction of Carthage. He opposed the Gracchi reforms, even though his wife was the Gracchi's sister. He served as censor, and consul, and helped put down a rebellion in Spain. His is thought to have been murdered by his political opponents, although the case was never resolved.

Key events during the life of Scipio Aemilianus:

Year	Event
168 BC	Fought under father, Aemilius Paulus, at Pydna.
	Adopted by Cornelius Scipio, eldest son of Scipio Africanus.
151 BC	Served in army in Spain, visited Masinissa of Numidia.
147 BC	Elected consul, went to Africa to take over siege of Carthage.
146 BC	Oversaw destruction of city of Carthage.
142 BC	Elected Censor.
134 BC	Returned to Spain to end rebellion; destroyed Numantia.
133 BC	On death of Tiberius Gracchus, sought to destroy Gracchian reforms.
129 BC	Died under suspicious circumstances, thought to be murdered by allies of the Gracchi.

Other Resources

Story Links	Book Links
Destruction of Carthage  in	Hannibal  by  Jacob Abbott
Blotting Out of Carthage  in	Helmet and Spear  by  Alfred J. Church
Destruction of Carthage  in	The Story of the Romans  by  H. A. Guerber
Destruction of Carthage  in	The Story of Rome  by  Mary Macgregor
Fate of Carthage  in	Historical Tales: Roman  by  Charles Morris

Image Links
Scipio, throwing his toga over his face, burst into a passion of tears.  in Lords of the World	The younger Scipio  in Stories from Ancient Rome	The Destruction of Carthage  in Greatest Nations - Rome
Carthaginian Women Sacrificing their Treasures to their Country  in Greatest Nations - Rome	The Home of Scipio Aemilianus  in Greatest Nations - Rome	The city was given to the flames.  in The Story of Rome

Contemporary	Short Biography
Polybius	Taken as Greek hostage during Macedonian wars; historian of Punic Wars.
Aemilius Paulus	Led Rome against Macedonia at the Battle of Pydna and was victorious.
Terence	Poet and playwright—translated Greek classics into Latin.
Lucilius	The earliest known Roman satirist.