AEMILIUSPAULUS

229—160B。C。

byPlutarchtranslatedbyJohnDrydenALMOSTallagreethattheAemiliiwereoneoftheancientandpatricianhousesinRome；andthoseauthorswhoaffirmthatKingNumawaspupiltoPythagorastellusthatthefirstwhogavenametohisposteritywasMamercus，thesonofPythagoras，who，forhisgraceandaddressinspeaking，wascalledAemilius。Mostofthisracethathaverisenthroughtheirmerittoreputationalsoenjoyedgoodfortune:andeventhemisfortunetoLuciusPaulusatthebattleofCannaegavetestimonytohiswisdomandvalour。Fornotbeingabletopersuadehiscolleaguenottohazardthebattle，he，thoughagainsthisjudgment，joinedwithhiminthecontest，butwasnocompanioninhisflight:onthecontrary，whenhethatwassoresolutetoengagedesertedhiminthemidstofdangerhekeptthefieldanddiedfighting。ThisAemiliushadadaughternamedAemilia，whowasmarriedtoScipiotheGreat，andasonPaulus，whoisthesubjectofmypresenthistory。

Inhisearlymanhood，whichfellatatimewhenRomewasflourishingwithillustriouscharacters，hewasdistinguishedfornotattachinghimselftothestudiesusualwiththeyoungmenofmarkofthatage，nortreadingthesamepathstofame。Forhedidnotpractiseoratorywithaviewtopleadingcauses，norwouldhestooptosalute，embrace，andentertainthevulgar，whichweretheusualinsinuatingartsbywhichmanygrewpopular。Notthathewasincapableofeither，buthechosetopurchaseamuchmorelastingglorybyhisvalour，justice，andintegrity，andinthesevirtueshesoonoustrippedallhisequals。

Thefirsthonourableofficeheaspiredtowasthatofaedile，whichhecarriedagainsttwelvecompetitorsofsuchmeritthatalloftheminprocessoftimewereconsuls。Beingafterwardschosenintothenumberofpriestscalledaugurs，appointedamongsttheRomanstoobserveandregisterdivinationsmadebytheflightofbirdsorprodigiesintheair，hesocarefullystudiedtheancientcustomsofhiscountry，andsothoroughlyunderstoodthereligionofhisancestors，thatthisofficewhichwasbeforeonlyesteemedatitleofhonourandmerelyuponthataccountsoughtafter，bythismeansrosetotherankofoneofthehighestarts，andgaveaconfirmationtothecorrectnessofthedefinition，whichsomephilosophershavegivenofreligion，thatitisthescienceofworshippingthegods。

Whenheperformedanypartofhisduty，hediditwithgreatskillandutmostcare，makingit，whenhewasengagedinit，hisonlybusiness，notomittinganyoneceremony，oraddingtheleastcircumstance，butalwaysinsisting，withhiscompanionsofthesameorder，evenonpointsthatmightseeminconsiderable，andurginguponthem，thatthoughtheymightthinktheDeitywaseasilypacified，andreadytoforgivefaultsofinadvertency，yetanysuchlaxitywasaverydangerousthingforacommonwealthtoallow；becausenomaneverbeganthedisturbanceofhiscountry’speacebyanotoriousbreachofitslaws；andthosewhoarecarelessintriflesgiveaprecedentforremissnessinimportantduties。NorwashelesssevereinrequiringandobservingtheancientRomandisciplineinmilitaryaffairs；notendeavouring，whenhehadthecommand，toingratiatehimselfwithhissoldiersbypopularflattery，thoughthiscustomprevailedatthattimeamongstmany，who，byfavourandgentlenesstothosethatwereunderthemintheirfirstemployment，soughttobepromotedtoasecond；but，byinstructingtheminthelawsofmilitarydisciplinewiththesamecareandexactnessapriestwoulduseinteachingceremoniesanddreadfulmysteries，andbyseveritytosuchastransgressedandcontemnedthoselaws，hemaintainedhiscountryinitsformergreatness，esteemingvictoryoverenemiesitselfbutasanaccessorytothepropertraininganddiscipliningofthecitizens。

WhilsttheRomanswereengagedinwarwithAntiochustheGreat，againstwhomtheirmostexperiencedcommanderswereemployed，therearoseanotherwarinthewest，andtheywereallupinarmsinSpain。ThithertheysentAemilius，inthequalityofpraetor，notwithsixaxes，whichnumberotherpraetorswereaccustomedtohavecarriedbeforethem，butwithtwelve；sothatinhispraetorshiphewashonouredwiththedignityofaconsul。Hetwiceovercamethebarbariansinbattle，thirtythousandofwhomwereslain:successeschieflytobeascribedtothewisdomandconductofthecommander，whobyhisgreatskillinchoosingtheadvantageoftheground，andmakingtheonsetatthepassageofariver，gavehissoldiersaneasyvictory。Havingmadehimselfmasteroftwohundredandfiftycities，whoseinhabitantsvoluntarilyyielded，andboundthemselvesbyoathtofidelity，helefttheprovinceinpeace，andreturnedtoRome，notenrichinghimselfadrachmabythewar。And，indeed，ingeneral，hewasbutremissinmakingmoney；thoughhealwayslivedfreelyandgenerouslyonwhathehad，whichwassofarfrombeingexcessive，thatafterhisdeaththerewasbarelyenoughlefttoanswerhiswife’sdowry。

HisfirstwifewasPapiria，thedaughterofMaso，whohadformerlybeenconsul。Withherhelivedaconsiderabletimeinwedlock，andthendivorcedher，thoughshehadmadehimthefatherofnoblechildren；beingmotheroftherenownedScipioandFabiusMaximus。

Thereasonofthisseparationhasnotcometoourknowledge；butthereseemstobeatruthconveyedintheaccountofanotherRoman’sbeingdivorcedfromhiswife，whichmaybeapplicablehere。Thispersonbeinghighlyblamedbyhisfriends，whodemanded，Wasshenotchaste？wasshenotfair？wasshenotfruitful？holdingouthisshoe，askedthem，Whetheritwasnotnew？andwellmade？Yet，addedhe，noneofyoucantellwhereitpinchesme。Certainitis，thatgreatandopenfaultshaveoftenledtonoseparation；whilemerepettyrepeatedannoyances，arisingfromunpleasantnessorincongruityofcharacter，havebeentheoccasionofsuchestrangementastomakeitimpossibleformanandwifetolivetogetherwithanycontent。

Aemilius，havingthusputawayPapiria，marriedasecondwife，bywhomhehadtwosons，whomhebroughtupinhisownhouse，transferringthetwoformerintothegreatestandthemostnoblefamiliesofRome。TheelderwasadoptedintothehouseofFabiusMaximus，whowasfivetimesconsul；theyoungerbythesonofScipioAfricanus，hiscousin—german，andwasbyhimnamedScipio。

OfthedaughtersofAemilius，onewasmarriedtothesonofCato，theothertoAeliusTubero，amostworthyman，andtheoneRomanwhobestsucceededincombiningliberalhabitswithpoverty。Forthereweresixteennearrelations，allofthemofthefamilyoftheAelii，possessedofbutonefarm，whichsufficedthemall，whilstonesmallhouse，orrathercottage，containedthem，theirnumerousoffspring，andtheirwives；amongstwhomwasthedaughterofourAemilius，who，althoughherfatherhadbeentwiceconsul，andhadtwicetriumphed，wasnotashamedofherhusband’spoverty，butproudofhisvirtuethatkepthimpoor。Farotherwiseitiswiththebrothersandrelationsofthisage，who，unlesswholetractsofland，oratleastwallsandrivers，parttheirinheritances，andkeepthematadistance，neverceasefrommutualquarrels。Historysuggestsavarietyofgoodcounselofthissort，bytheway，tothosewhodesiretolearnandimprove。

Toproceed:Aemilius，beingchosenconsul，wagedwarwiththeLigurians，orLigustines，apeopleneartheAlps。Theywereaboldandwarlikenation，andtheirneighbourhoodtotheRomanshadbeguntogivethemskillintheartsofwar。TheyoccupythefurtherpartsofItalyendingundertheAlps，andthosepartsoftheAlpsthemselveswhicharewashedbytheTuscanseaandfacetowardAfrica，mingledtherewithGaulsandIberiansofthecoast。Besides，atthattimetheyhadturnedtheirthoughtstotheseasandsailingasfarasthePillarsofHerculesinlightvesselsfittedforthatpurpose，robbedanddestroyedallthattraffickedinthoseparts。They，withanarmyoffortythousand，waitedthecomingofAemilius，whobroughtwithhimnotaboveeightthousand，sothattheenemywasfivetoonewhentheyengaged；yethevanquishedandputthemtoflight，forcingthemtoretireintotheirwalledtowns，andinthisconditionofferedthemfairconditionsofaccommodation；itbeingthepolicyoftheRomansnotutterlytodestroytheLigurians，becausetheywereasortofguardandbulwarkagainstthefrequentattemptsoftheGaulstooverrunItaly。TrustingwhollythereforetoAemilius，theydelivereduptheirtownsandshippingintohishands。He，attheutmost，razedonlythefortificationsanddeliveredtheirtownstothemagain，buttookawayalltheirshippingwithhim，leavingthemnovesselsbiggerthanthoseofthreeoars，andsetatlibertygreatnumbersofprisonerstheyhadtakenbothbyseaandland，strangersaswellasRomans。Theseweretheactsmostworthyofremarkinhisfirstconsulship。

Afterwardshefrequentlyintimatedhisdesireofbeingasecondtimeconsul，andwasoncecandidate；butmeetingwitharepulseandbeingpassedby，hegaveupallthoughtofit，anddevotedhimselftohisdutiesasaugur，andtotheeducationofhischildren，whomhenotonlybroughtup，ashehimselfhadbeen，intheRomanandancientdiscipline，butalsowithunusualzealinthatofGreece。Tothispurposehenotonlyprocuredmasterstoteachthemgrammar，logic，andrhetoric，buthadforthemalsopreceptorsinmodellinganddrawing，managersofhorsesanddogs，andinstructorsinfieldsports，allfromGreece。And，ifhewasnothinderedbypublicaffairs，hehimselfwouldbewiththemattheirstudies，andseethemperformtheirexercises，beingthemostaffectionatefatherinRome。

Thiswasthetime，inpublicmatters，whentheRomanswereengagedinwarwithPerseus，KingoftheMacedonians，andgreatcomplaintsweremadeoftheircommanders，who，eitherthroughtheirwantofskillorcourage，wereconductingmatterssoshamefully，thattheydidlesshurttotheenemythantheyreceivedfromhim。TheythatnotlongbeforehadforcedAntiochustheGreattoquittherestofAsia，toretirebeyondMountTaurus，andconfinehimselftoSyria，gladtobuyhispeacewithfifteenthousandtalents；theythatnotlongsincehadvanquishedKingPhilipinThessaly，andfreedtheGreeksfromtheMacedonianyoke；nay，hadovercomeHannibalhimself，whofarsurpassedallkingsindaringandpower—thoughtitscornthatPerseusshouldthinkhimselfanenemyfittomatchtheRomans，andtobeabletowagewarwiththemsolongonequalterms，withtheremainderonlyofhisfather’sroutedforces；notbeingawarethatPhilipafterhisdefeathadgreatlyimprovedboththestrengthanddisciplineoftheMacedonianarmy。Tomakewhichappear，Ishallbrieflyrecountthestoryfromthebeginning。

Antigonus，themostpowerfulamongstthecaptainsandsuccessorsofAlexander，havingobtainedforhimselfandhisposteritythetitleofking，hadasonnamedDemetrius，fathertoAntigonus，calledGonatas，andhehadasonDemetrius，who，reigningsomeshorttime，diedandleftayoungsoncalledPhilip。ThechiefmenofMacedon，fearinggreatconfusionmightariseinhisminority，calledinAntigonus，cousin—germantothelateking，andmarriedhimtothewidow，themotherofPhilip。Atfirsttheyonlystyledhimregentandgeneral，butwhentheyfoundbyexperiencethathegovernedthekingdomwithmoderationandtogeneraladvantage，gavehimthetitleofking。ThiswashethatwassurnamedDoson，asifhewasagreatpromiserandabadperformer。TohimsucceededPhilip，whoinhisyouthgavegreathopesofequallingthebestofkings，andthatheonedaywouldrestoreMacedontoitsformerstateanddignity，andprovehimselftheonemanabletocheckthepoweroftheRomans，nowrisingandextendingoverthewholeworld。But，beingvanquishedinapitchedbattlebyTitusFlaminiusnearScotussa，hisresolutionfailed，andheyieldedhimselfandallthathehadtothemercyoftheRomans，wellcontentedthathecouldescapewithpayingasmalltribute。Yetafterwards，recollectinghimself，heboreitwithgreatimpatience，andthoughhelivedratherlikeaslavethatwaspleasedwithease，thanamanofsenseandcourage，whilstheheldhiskingdomatthepleasureofhisconquerors；whichmadehimturnhiswholemindtowar，andpreparehimselfwithasmuchcunningandprivacyaspossible。Tothisend，helefthiscitiesonthehighroadsandsea—coastungarrisoned，andalmostdesolate，thattheymightseeminconsiderable；inthemeantime，collectinglargeforcesupthecountry，andfurnishinghisinlandposts，strongholds，andtowns，witharms，money，andmenfitforservice，hethusprovidedhimselfforwar，andyetkepthispreparationsclose。Hehadinhisarmouryarmsforthirtythousandmen；ingranaries，inplacesofstrength，eightmillionsofbushelsofcorn，andasmuchreadymoneyaswoulddefraythechargeofmaintainingtenthousandmercenarysoldiersfortenyearsindefenceofthecountry。Butbeforehecouldputthesethingsintomotion，andcarryhisdesignsintoeffect，hediedforgriefsandanguishofmind，beingsensiblehehadputhisinnocentsonDemetriustodeath，uponthecalumniesofonethatwasfarmoreguilty。Perseus，hissonthatsurvived，inheritedhishatredtotheRomansaswellashiskingdom，butwasincompetenttocarryouthisdesigns，throughwantofcourageandtheviciousnessofacharacterinwhich，amongfaultsanddiseasesofvarioussorts，covetousnessborethechiefplace。Thereisastatementalsoofhisnotbeingtrue—born；

thatthewifeofKingPhiliptookhimfromhismother，Gnathaenion（awomanofArgos，thatearnedherlivingasaseamstress），assoonashewasborn，andpassedhimuponherhusbandasherown。AndthismightbethechiefcauseofhiscontrivingthedeathofDemetrius，ashemightwellfearthat，solongastherewasalawfulsuccessorinthefamily，therewasnosecuritythathisspuriousbirthmightnotberevealed。

Notwithstandingallthis，andthoughhisspiritwassomeanandtempersosordid，yettrustingtothestrengthofhisresources，heengagedinawarwiththeRomans，andforalongtimemaintainedit；

repulsingandevenvanquishingsomegeneralsofconsulardignity，andsomegreatarmiesandfleets。HeroutedPubliusLicinius，whowasthefirstthatinvadedMacedonia，inacavalrybattle，slewtwenty—fivehundredpracticedsoldiers，andtooksixhundredprisoners；andsurprisingtheirfleetastheyrodeatanchorbeforeOrenshetooktwentyshipsofburdenwithalltheirlading，sunktherestthatwerefreightedwithcorn，and，besidesthis，madehimselfmasteroffourgalleyswithfivebanksofoars。HefoughtasecondbattlewithHostilius，aconsularofficer，ashewasmakinghiswayintothecountryatElimiae，andforcedhimtoretreat；and，whenheafterwardsbystealthdesignedaninvasionthroughThessalychallengedhimtofight，whichtheotherfearedtoaccept。Naymore，toshowhiscontempttotheRomans，andthathewantedemployment，asawarbytheby，hemadeanexpeditionagainsttheDardanians，inwhichheslewtenthousandofthosebarbarianpeople，andbroughtagreatspoilaway。Heprivately，moreover，solicitedtheGauls（alsocalledBasternae），awarlikenationandfamousforhorsemen，dwellingneartheDanube；andincitedtheIllyrians，bythemeansofGenthiustheirking，tojoinwithhiminthewar。Itwasalsoreportedthatthebarbarians，alluredbypromiseofrewards，weretomakeanirruptionintoItaly，throughthelowerGaulbytheshoreoftheAdriaticSea。

TheRomans，beingadvertisedofthesethings，thoughtitnecessarynolongertochoosetheircommandersbyfavourorsolicitation，butoftheirownmotiontoselectageneralofwisdomandcapacityforthemanagementofgreataffairs。AndsuchwasPaulusAemilius，advancedinyears，beingnearlythreescore，yetvigorousinhisownperson，andrichinvaliantsonsandsons—in—law，besidesagreatnumberofinfluentialrelationsandfriends，allofwhomjoinedinurginghimtoyieldtothedesiresofthepeople，whocalledhimtotheconsulship。Heatfirstmanifestedsomeshynessofthepeopleandwithdrewhimselffromtheirimportunity，professingreluctancetoholdoffice；but，whentheydailycametohisdoors，urginghimtocomeforthtotheplaceofelection，andpressinghimwithnoiseandclamour，heaccededtotheirrequest。Whenheappearedamongstthecandidates，itdidnotlookasifitweretosuefortheconsulship，buttobringvictoryandsuccess，thathecamedownintotheCampus；

theyallreceivedhimtherewithsuchhopesandsuchgladness，unanimouslychoosinghimasecondtimeconsul；norwouldtheysufferthelotstobecast，aswasusual，todeterminewhichprovinceshouldfalltohisshare，butimmediatelydecreedhimthecommandoftheMacedonianwar。Itistold，thatwhenhehadbeenproclaimedgeneralagainstPerseus，andwashonourablyaccompaniedhomebygreatnumbersofpeople，hefoundhisdaughterTertia，averylittlegirl，weeping，andtakinghertohimaskedherwhyshewascrying。

She，catchinghimabouttheneckandkissinghim，said，"Ofather，doyounotknowthatPerseusisdead？"meaningalittledogofthatnamethatwasbroughtupinthehousewithher；towhichAemiliusreplied，"Goodfortune，mydaughter；Iembracetheomen。"ThisCicero，theorator，relatesinhisbookondivination。

Itwasthecustomforsuchaswerechosenconsuls，fromastagedesignedforsuchpurposes，toaddressthepeople，andreturnthemthanksfortheirfavour。Aemilius，therefore，havinggatheredanassembly，spokeandsaidthathesuedforthefirstconsulship，becausehehimselfstoodinneedofsuchhonour；butforthesecond，becausetheywantedageneral；uponwhichaccounthethoughttherewasnothanksdue:iftheyjudgedtheycouldmanagethewarbyanyothertomoreadvantage，hewouldwillinglyyielduphischarge；but，iftheyconfidedinhim，theywerenottomakethemselveshiscolleaguesinhisoffice，orraisereports，andcriticizehisactions，but，withouttalking，supplyhimwithmeansandassistancenecessarytothecarryingonofthewar；foriftheyproposedtocommandtheirowncommandertheywouldrenderthisexpeditionmoreridiculousthantheformer。Bythisspeechheinspiredgreatreverenceforhimamongstthecitizensandgreatexpectationsoffuturesuccess；allwerewellpleasedthattheyhadpassedbysuchassoughttobepreferredbyflattery，andfixeduponacommanderenduedwithwisdomandcouragetotellthemthetruth。SoentirelydidthepeopleofRome，thattheymightrule，andbecomemastersoftheworld，yieldobedienceandservicetoreasonandsuperiorvirtue。

ThatAemilius，settingforwardtothewar，byaprosperousvoyageandsuccessfuljourney，arrivedwithspeedandsafetyathiscampI

attributetogoodfortune；but，whenIseehowthewarunderhiscommandwasbroughttoahappyissue，partlybyhisowndaringboldness，partlybyhisgoodcounsel，partlybythereadyadministrationofhisfriends，partlybyhispresenceofmindandskilltoembracethemostproperadviceintheextremityofdanger，Icannotascribeanyofhisremarkableandfamousactions（asIcanthoseofothercommanders）tohissomuchcelebratedgoodfortune；

unlessyouwillsaythatthecovetousnessofPerseuswasthegoodfortuneofAemilius。Thetruthis，Perseus’fearofspendinghismoneywasthedestructionandutterruinofallthosesplendidandgreatpreparationswithwhichtheMacedonianswereinhighhopestocarryonthewarwithsuccess。FortherecameathisrequesttenthousandhorsemenoftheBasternae，andasmanyfoot，whoweretokeeppacewiththem，andsupplytheirplacesincaseoffailure；allofthemprofessedsoldiers，menskilledneitherintillingofland，norinnavigationofships，norabletogettheirlivingbygrazing，butwhoseonlybusinessandsingleartandtradeitwastofightandconquerallthatresistedthem。WhenthesecameintothedistrictofMaedica，andencampedandmixedwiththeking’ssoldiers，beingmenofgreatstature，admirableattheirexercises，greatboasters，andloudintheirthreatsagainsttheirenemies，theygavenewcouragetotheMacedonians，whowerereadytothinktheRomanswouldnotbeabletoconfrontthem，butwouldbestruckwithterrorattheirlooksandmotions，theyweresostrangeandsoformidabletobehold。

WhenPerseushadthusencouragedhismen，andelevatedthemwiththesegreathopes，assoonasathousandgoldpiecesweredemandedforeachcaptain，hewassoamazedandbesidehimselfatthevastnessoftheamount，thatoutofmerestinginesshedrewbackandlethimselflosetheirassistance，asifhehadbeensomesteward，nottheenemyoftheRomans，andwouldhavetogiveanexactaccountoftheexpensesofthewartothosewithwhomhewagedit。Nay，whenhehadhisfoesastutors，toinstructhimwhathehadtodo，who，besidestheirotherpreparations，hadahundredthousandmendrawntogetherandinreadinessfortheirservice；yethethatwastoengageagainstsoconsiderableaforce，andinawarthatwasmaintainingsuchnumbersasthis，neverthelessdoledouthismoney，andputsealsonhisbags，andwasasfearfuloftouchingit，asifithadbelongedtosomeoneelse。Andallthiswasdonebyone，notdescendedfromLydiansorPhoenicians，butwhocouldpretendtosomeshareofthevirtuesofAlexanderandPhilip，whomhewasalliedtobybirth；menwhoconqueredtheworldbyjudgingthatempirewastobepurchasedbymoney，notmoneybyempire。Certainlyitbecameaproverb，thatnotPhilip，buthisgold，tookthecitiesofGreece。AndAlexander，whenheundertookhisexpeditionagainsttheIndians，andfoundhisMacedoniansencumberedandappeartomarchheavilywiththeirPersianspoils，firstsetfiretohisowncarriages，andthencepersuadedtheresttoimitatehisexample，thatthusfreedtheymightproceedtothewarwithouthindrance。WhereasPerseus，aboundinginwealth，wouldnotpreservehimself，hischildren，andhiskingdom，attheexpenseofasmallpartofhistreasure；butchoserathertobecarriedawaywithnumbersofhissubjectswiththenameofthewealthycaptive，andshowtheRomanswhatgreatricheshehadhusbandedandpreservedforthem。ForhenotonlyplayedfalsewiththeGauls，andsentthemaway，butalso，afteralluringGenthius，KingoftheIllyrians，bythehopesofthreehundredtalents，toassisthiminthewar，hecausedthemoneytobecountedoutinthepresenceofhismessengers，andtobesealedup。UponwhichGenthius，thinkinghimselfpossessedofwhathedesired，committedawickedandshamefulact:heseizedandimprisonedtheambassadorssenttohimfromtheRomans。WhencePerseus，concludingthattherewasnoneedofmoneytomakeGenthiusanenemytotheRomans，butthathehadgivenalastingearnestofhisenmity，andbyhisflagrantinjusticesufficientlyinvolvedhimselfinthewar，defraudedtheunfortunatekingofhisthreehundredtalents，andwithoutanyconcernbeheldhim，hiswife，andchildren，inashorttimeafter，carriedoutoftheirkingdom，asfromtheirnest，byLuciusAnicius，whowassentagainsthimwithanarmy。

Aemilius，comingagainstsuchanadversary，madelightindeedofhim，butadmiredhispreparationandpower。Forhehadfourthousandhorse，andnotmuchfewerthanfortythousandfull—armedfootofthephalanx；andplantinghimselfalongtheseaside，atthefootofMountOlympus，ingroundwithnoaccessonanyside，andonallsidesfortifiedwithfencesandbulwarksofwood，remainedingreatsecurity，thinkingbydelayandexpensetowearyoutAemilius。Buthe，inthemeantime，busyinthought，weighedallcounselsandallmeansofattack，andperceivinghissoldiers，fromtheirformerwantofdiscipline，tobeimpatientofdelay，andreadyonalloccasionstoteachtheirgeneralhisduty，rebukedthem，andbadethemnotmeddlewithwhatwasnottheirconcern，butonlytakecarethattheyandtheirarmswereinreadiness，andtousetheirswordslikeRomanswhentheircommandershouldthinkfittoemploythem。Further，heorderedthatthesentinelsbynightshouldwatchwithoutjavelins，thatthustheymightbemorecarefulandsurertoresistsleep，havingnoarmstodefendthemselvesagainstanyattacksofanenemy。

Whatmostannoyedthearmywasthewantofwater；foronlyalittle，andthatfoul，flowedout，orrathercamebydropsfromaspringadjoiningthesea；butAemilius，consideringthathewasatthefootofthehighandwoodymountainOlympus，andconjecturingbytheflourishinggrowthofthetreesthattherewerespringsthathadtheircourseunderground，dugagreatmanyholesandwellsalongthefootofthemountain，whichwerepresentlyfilledwithpurewaterescapingfromitsconfinementintothevacuumtheyafforded。Althoughtherearesome，indeed，whodenythattherearereservoirsofwaterlyingreadyprovidedoutofsight，intheplacesfromwhencespringsflow，andthatwhentheyappear，theymerelyissueandrunout；onthecontrary，theysay，theyarethenformedandcomeintoexistenceforthefirsttime，bytheliquefactionofthesurroundingmatter；andthatthischangeiscausedbydensityandcold，whenthemoistvapour，bybeingcloselypressedtogether，becomesfluid。Aswomen’sbreastsarenotlikevesselsfullofmilkalwayspreparedandreadytoflowfromthem；buttheirnourishmentbeingchangedintheirbreasts，istheremademilk，andfromthenceispressedout。Inlikemanner，placesoftheearththatarecoldandfullofsprings，donotcontainanyhiddenwatersorreceptacleswhicharecapable，asfromasourcealwaysreadyandfurnished，ofsupplyingallthebrooksanddeeprivers；butbycompressingandcondensingthevapoursandairtheyturnthemintothatsubstance。Andthusplacesthataredugopen，flowbythatpressure，andaffordthemorewater（asthebreastsofwomendomilkbytheirbeingsucked），thevapourthusmoisteningandbecomingfluid；whereasgroundthatremainsidleandundugisnotcapableofproducinganywater，whilstitwantsthemotionwhichisthecauseofliquefaction。Butthosethatassertthisopiniongiveoccasiontothedoubtfultoargue，thatonthesamegroundthereshouldbenobloodinlivingcreatures，butthatitmustbeformedbythewound，somesortofspiritorfleshbeingchangedintoaliquidandflowingmatter。Moreover，theyarerefutedbythefactthatmenwhodigmines，eitherinsiegesorformetals，meetwithrivers，whicharenotcollectedbylittleandlittle（asmustnecessarilybe，iftheyhadtheirbeingattheveryinstanttheearthwasopened），butbreakoutatoncewithviolence；anduponthecuttingthrougharock，thereoftengushoutgreatquantitiesofwater，whichthenassuddenlycease。Butofthisenough。

Aemiliuslaystillforsomedays，anditissaidthattherewerenevertwogreatarmiessonighthatenjoyedsomuchquiet。Whenhehadtriedandconsideredallthings，hewasinformedthattherewasyetonepassageleftunguarded，throughPerrhaebiabythetempleofApolloandtheRock。Gathering，therefore，morehopefromtheplacebeingleftdefencelessthanfearfromtheroughnessanddifficultyofthepassage，heproposeditforconsultation。Amongstthosethatwerepresentatthecouncil，Scipio，surnamedNasica，son—in—lawtoScipioAfricanus，whoafterwardswassopowerfulinthesenate—house，wasthefirstthatofferedhimselftocommandthosethatshouldbesenttoencompasstheenemy。Nexttohim，FabiusMaximus，eldestsonofAemilius，althoughyetveryyoung，offeredhimselfwithgreatzeal。Aemilius，rejoicing，gavethem，notsomanyasPolybiusstates，but，asNasicahimselftellsusinabriefletterwhichhewrotetooneofthekingswithanaccountoftheexpedition，threethousandItaliansthatwerenotRomans，andhisleftwingconsistingoffivethousand。Takingwithhim，besidesthese，onehundredandtwentyhorsemen，andtwohundredThraciansandCretansintermixedthatHarpalushadsent，hebeganhisjourneytowardsthesea，andencampednearthetempleofHercules，asifhedesignedtoembark，andsotosailroundandenvirontheenemy。Butwhenthesoldiershadsuppedanditwasdark，hemadethecaptainsacquaintedwithhisrealintentions，andmarchingallnightintheoppositedirectionsawayfromthesea，tillhecameunderthetempleofApollo，thererestedhisarmy。AtthisplaceMountOlympusrisesinheightmorethantenfurlongs，asappearsbytheepigrammadebythemanthatmeasuredit:—

"ThesummitofOlympus，atthesiteWherestandsApollo’stemple，hasaheightOffulltenfurlongsbytheline，andmore，Tenfurlongs，andonehundredfeet，lessfour。

Eumelus’sson，Xenagoras，reachedtheplace。

Adieu，Oking，anddothypilgrimgrace。"

Itisallowed，saythegeometricians，thatnomountaininheightorseaindepthexceedstenfurlongs，andyetitseemsprobablethatXenagorasdidnottakehisadmeasurementcarelessly，butaccordingtotherulesofart，andwithinstrumentsforthepurpose。HereitwasthatNasicapassedthenight。

ACretandeserted，whofledtotheenemyduringthemarch，discoveredtoPerseusthedesignwhichtheRomanshadtoencompasshim:forhe，seeingthatAemiliuslaystill，hadnotsuspectedanysuchattempt。Hewasstartledatthenews，yetdidnotputhisarmyinmotion，butsenttenthousandmercenarysoldiers，andtwothousandMacedonians，undercommandofMilo，withordertohastenandpossessthemselvesofthepasses。PolybiusrelatesthattheRomansfoundthesemenasleepwhentheyattackedthem；butNasicasaystherewasasharpandsevereconflictonthetopofthemountain，thathehimselfencounteredamercenaryThracian，piercedhimthroughwithhisjavelin，andslewhim；andthattheenemybeingforcedtoretreat，Milostrippedtohiscoatandfledshamefullywithouthisarmour，whilehefollowedwithoutdanger，andconveyedthewholearmydownintothecountry。

Afterthisevent，Perseus，nowgrownfearful，andfallenfromhishopes，removedhiscampinallhaste；hewasunderthenecessityeithertostopbeforePydna，andthererunthehazardofabattle，ordispersehisarmyintocities，andthereexpecttheeventofthewar，which，havingoncemadeitswayintohiscountry，couldnotbedrivenoutwithoutgreatslaughterandbloodshed。ButPerseus，beingtoldbyhisfriendsthathewasmuchsuperiorinnumber，andthatmenfightinginthedefenceoftheirwivesandchildrenmustneedsfeelallthemorecourage，especiallywhenallwasdoneinthesightoftheirking，whohimselfwasengagedinequaldanger，wasthusagainencouraged；and，pitchinghiscamp，preparedhimselftofight，viewedthecountry，andgaveoutthecommands，asifhedesignedtosetupontheRomansassoonastheyapproached。Theplacewasafieldfitfortheactionofaphalanx，whichrequiressmoothstandingandevenground，andalsohaddiverslittlehills，onejoininganother，fitforthemotionswhetherinretreatoradvanceoflighttroopsandskirmishers。ThroughthemiddlerantheriversAesonandLeucus，whichthoughnotverydeep，itbeingthelatterendofsummer，yetwerelikelyenoughtogivetheRomanssometrouble。

AssoonasAemiliushadrejoinedNasica，headvancedinbattlearrayagainsttheenemy；butwhenhefoundhowtheyweredrawnup，andthenumberoftheirforces，heregardedthemwithadmirationandsurprise，andhalted，consideringwithinhimself。Theyoungcommanders，eagertofight，ridingalongbyhisside，pressedhimnottodelay，andmostofallNasica，flushedwithhislatesuccessonOlympus。TowhomAemiliusansweredwithasmile:"SowouldIdowereIofyourage；butmanyvictorieshavetaughtmethewaysinwhichmenaredefeated，andforbidmetoengagesoldierswearywithalongmarchagainstanarmydrawnupandpreparedforbattle。"

Thenhegavecommandthatthefrontofhisarmy，andsuchaswereinsightoftheenemy，shouldformasifreadytoengage，andthoseintherearshouldcastupthetrenchesandfortifythecamp；sothatthehindmostinsuccessionwheelingoffbydegreesandwithdrawing，theirwholeorderwasinsensiblybrokenup，andthearmyencampedwithoutnoiseortrouble。

Whenitwasnight，and，supperbeingover，allwereturningtosleepandrest，onasuddenthemoon，whichwasthenatfullandhighintheheavens，grewdark，andbydegreeslosingherlight，passedthroughvariouscolours，andatlengthwastotallyeclipsed。TheRomans，accordingtotheircustom，clatteringbrasspansandliftingupfire—brandsandtorchesintotheair，invokedthereturnofherlight；

theMacedoniansbehavedfarotherwise:terrorandamazementseizedtheirwholearmy，andarumourcreptbydegreesintotheircampthatthiseclipseportendedeventhatoftheirking。Aemiliuswasnonoviceinthesethings，norwasignorantofthenatureoftheseemingirregularitiesofeclipses—thatinacertainrevolutionoftime，themooninhercourseenterstheshadowoftheearthandisthereobscured，till，passingtheregionofdarkness，sheisagainenlightenedbythesun。Yetbeingadevoutman，areligiousobserverofsacrificesandtheartofdivination，assoonasheperceivedthemoonbeginningtoregainherformerlustre，heoffereduptoherelevenheifers。AtthebreakofdayhesacrificedasmanyastwentyinsuccessiontoHercules，withoutanytokenthathisofferingwasaccepted；butattheone—and—twentieth，thesignspromisedvictorytodefenders。HethenvowedahecatombandsolemnsportstoHercules，andcommandedhiscaptainstomakereadyforbattle，stayingonlytillthesunshoulddeclineandcomeroundtothewest，lest，beingintheirfacesinthemorning，itshoulddazzletheeyesofhissoldiers。Thushewhiledawaythetimeinhistent，whichwasopentowardstheplainwherehisenemieswereencamped。

Whenitgrewtowardsevening，sometellus，Aemiliushimselfusedastratagemtoinducetheenemytobeginthefight；thatheturnedlooseahorsewithoutabridle，andsentsomeoftheRomanstocatchhim，uponwhosefollowingthebeastthebattlebegan。OthersrelatethattheThracians，underthecommandofoneAlexander，setupontheRomanbeastsofburdenthatwerebringingforagetothecamp；thattoopposethese，apartyofsevenhundredLigurianswereimmediatelydetached；andthat，reliefcomingstillfrombotharmies，themainbodiesatlastengaged。Aemilius，likeawisepilot，foreseeingbythepresentwavesandmotionofthearmiesthegreatnessofthefollowingstorm，cameoutofhistent，wentthroughthelegions，andencouragedhissoldiers。Nasica，inthemeantime，whohadriddenouttotheskirmishers，sawthewholeforceoftheenemyonthepointofengaging。FirstmarchedtheThracians，who，hehimselftellsus，inspiredhimwithmostterror；theywereofgreatstature，withbrightandglitteringshieldsandblackfrocksunderthem，theirlegsarmedwithgreaves，andtheybrandished，astheymoved，straightandheavily—ironedspearsovertheirrightshoulders。NexttheThraciansmarchedthemercenarysoldiers，armedafterdifferentfashions；withthesePaeoniansweremingled。Theseweresucceededbyathirddivision，ofpickedmen，nativeMacedonians，thechoicestforcourageandstrength，intheprimeoflife，gleamingwithgiltarmourandscarletcoats。AstheseweretakingtheirplacestheywerefollowedfromthecampbythetroopsinphalanxcalledtheBrazenShields，sothatthewholeplainseemedalivewiththeflashingofsteelandtheglisteningofbrass；andthehillsalsowiththeirshouts，astheycheeredeachotheron。Inthisordertheymarched，andwithsuchboldnessandspeed，thatthosethatwerefirstslaindiedatbuttwofurlongsdistancefromtheRomancamp。

Thebattlebeingbegun，AemiliuscameinandfoundthattheforemostoftheMacedonianshadalreadyfixedtheendsoftheirspearsintotheshieldsofhisRomans，sothatitwasimpossibletocomenearthemwiththeirswords。Whenhesawthis，andobservedthattherestoftheMacedonianstookthetargetsthathungontheirleftshoulders，andbroughtthemroundbeforethem，andallatoncestoopedtheirpikesagainsttheirenemies’shields，andconsideredthegreatstrengthofthiswallofshields，andtheformidableappearanceofafrontthusbristlingwitharms，hewasseizedwithamazementandalarm；nothinghehadeverseenbeforehadbeenequaltoit；andinaftertimeshefrequentlyusedtospeakbothofthesightandofhisownsensations。These，however，hedissembled，androdethroughhisarmywithouteitherbreastplateorhelmet，withasereneandcheerfulcountenance。

Onthecontrary，asPolybiusrelates，nosoonerwasthebattlebegun，buttheMacedoniankingbaselywithdrewtothecityPydna，underapretenceofsacrificingtoHercules；agodthatisnotwonttoregardthefaintofferingsofcowards，ortofulfilunsanctionedvows。

Fortrulyitcanhardlybeathingthatheavenwouldsanction，thathethatnevershootsshouldcarryawaytheprize；hetriumphthatslinksfromthebattle；hethattakesnopainsmeetwithsuccess，orthewickedmanprosper。ButtoAemilius’spetitionsthegodlistened；heprayedforvictorywithhisswordinhishand，andfoughtwhileentreatingdivineassistance。

AcertainPosidonius，whohasatsomelengthwrittenahistoryofPerseus，andprofessestohavelivedatthetime，andtohavebeenhimselfengagedintheseevents，deniesthatPerseusleftthefieldeitherthroughfearorpretenceofsacrificing，butthat，theverydaybeforethefight，hereceivedakickfromahorseonhisthigh；thatthoughverymuchdisabled，anddissuadedbyallhisfriends，hecommandedoneofhisriding—horsestobebrought，andenteredthefieldunarmed；thatamongstaninfinitenumberofdartsthatflewaboutonallsides，oneofironlightedonhim，andthoughnotwiththepoint，yetbyaglancestruckhimwithsuchforceonhisleftsidethatittorehisclothesandsobruisedhisfleshthatthemarkremainedalongtimeafter。ThisiswhatPosidoniussaysindefenceofPerseus。

TheRomansnotbeingabletomakeabreachinthephalanx，oneSalius，acommanderofthePelignians，snatchedtheensignofhiscompanyandthrewitamongsttheenemies；onseeingwhich，thePelignians（asamongsttheItaliansitisalwaysthoughtthegreatestbreachofhonourtoabandonastandard）rushedwithgreatviolencetowardstheplace，wheretheconflictgrewveryfierceandtheslaughterterribleonbothsides。Fortheseendeavouredtocutthespearsasunderwiththeirswords，ortobeatthembackwiththeirshields，orputthembywiththeirhands；and，ontheotherside，theMacedoniansheldtheirlongsarissasinbothhands，andpiercedthosethatcameintheirwayquitethroughtheirarmour，noshieldorcorsletbeingabletoresisttheforceofthatweapon。ThePeligniansandMarrucinianswerethrownheadlongtotheground，havingwithoutconsideration，withmereanimalfury，rusheduponacertaindeath。Theirfirstranksbeingslain，thosethatwerebehindwereforcedtogiveback；itcannotbesaidtheyfled，buttheyretreatedtowardsMountOlocrus。When，Aemiliussawthis，Posidoniusrelates，herenthisclothes，someofhismenbeingreadytofly，andtherestnotwillingtoengagewithaphalanxintowhichtheycouldnothopetomakeanyentrance—asortofpalisade，asitwere，impregnableandunapproachable，withitsclosearrayoflongspearseverywheremeetingtheassailant。Nevertheless，theunequalnessofthegroundwouldnotpermitawidelyextendedfronttobesoexactlydrawnupastohavetheirshieldseverywherejoined；andAemiliusperceivedthattherewereagreatmanyintersticesandbreachesintheMacedonianphalanx，asitusuallyhappensinallgreatarmies，accordingtothedifferenteffortsofthecombatants，whoinonepartpressforwardwitheagerness，andinanotherareforcedtofallback。Taking，therefore，thisoccasion，withallspeedhebrokeuphismenintotheircohorts，andgavethemordertofallintotheintervalsandopeningsoftheenemy’sbody，andnottomakeonegeneralattackuponthemall，buttoengage，astheyweredivided，inseveralpartialbattles。ThesecommandsAemiliusgavetohiscaptains，andtheytotheirsoldiers；andnosoonerhadtheyenteredthespacesandseparatedtheirenemies，buttheychargedthem，someontheirsideswheretheywerenakedandexposed，andothers，makingacircuit，behind；andthusdestroyedtheforceofthephalanx，whichconsistsincommonactionandcloseunion。Andnow，cometofightmantoman，orinsmallparties，theMacedonianssmoteinvainuponfirmandlongshieldswiththeirlittleswords，whilsttheirslightbucklerswerenotabletosustaintheweightandforceoftheRomanswords，whichpiercedthroughalltheirarmourtotheirbodies；theyturned，infine，andfled。

Theconflictwasobstinate。AndhereMarcus，thesonofCato，andson—in—lawofAemilius，whilstheshowedallpossiblecourage，letfallhissword。Beingayoungmancarefullybroughtupanddisciplined，and，sonofsorenownedafather，boundtogiveproofofmorethanordinaryvirtue，hethoughthislifebutaburden，shouldheliveandpermithisenemiestoenjoythisspoil。Hehurriedhitherandthither，andwhereverheespiedafriendorcompanion，declaredhismisfortune，andbeggedtheirassistance；aconsiderablenumberofbravemenbeingthuscollected，withoneaccordtheymadetheirwaythroughtheirfellowsaftertheirleader，andfellupontheenemy；whomafterasharpconflict，manywounds，andmuchslaughter，theyrepulsed，possessedtheplacethatwasnowdesertedandfree，andsetthemselvestosearchforthesword，whichatlasttheyfoundcoveredwithagreatheapofarmsanddeadbodies。

Overjoyedwiththissuccess，theyraisedthesongoftriumph，and，withmoreeagernessthanever，chargedthefoesthatyetremainedfirmandunbroken。Intheend，threethousandofthechosenmen，whokepttheirgroundandfoughtvaliantlytothelast，wereallcutinpieces，whiletheslaughterofsuchasfledwasalsoverygreat。Theplainandthelowerpartofthehillswerefilledwithdeadbodies，andthewateroftheriverLeucus，whichtheRomansdidnotpasstillthenextdayafterthebattle，wasthenmingledwithblood。Foritissaidtherefellmorethantwenty—fivethousandoftheenemy；oftheRomans，asPosidoniusrelates，ahundred；asNasica，onlyfourscore。Thisbattle，thoughsogreat，wasveryquicklydecided，itbeingthreeintheafternoonwhentheyfirstengaged，andnotfourwhentheenemywasvanquished；therestofthedaywasspentinpursuitofthefugitives，whomtheyfollowedaboutthirteenorfourteenmiles，sothatitwasfarinthenightwhentheyreturned。

Alltheothersweremetbytheirservantswithtorches，andbroughtbackwithjoyandgreattriumphtotheirtents，whichweresetoutwithlights，anddeckedwithwreathsofivyandlaurel。Butthegeneralhimselfwasingreatgrief。Ofthetwosonsthatservedunderhiminthewar，theyoungestwasmissing，whomheheldmostdear，andwhosecourageandgoodqualitiesheperceivedmuchtoexcelthoseofhisbrothers。Boldandeagerfordistinction，andstillamerechildinage，heconcludedthathehadperished，whilstforwantofexperiencehehadengagedhimselftoofaramongsthisenemies。

Hissorrowandfearsbecameknowntothearmy；thesoldiers，quittingtheirsuppers，ranaboutwithlights，sometoAemilius’stent，someoutofthetrenches，toseekhimamongstsuchaswereslaininthefirstonset。Therewasnothingbutgriefinthecamp，andtheplainwasfilledwiththecriesofmencallingoutforScipio；for，fromhisveryyouth，hewasanobjectofadmiration；endowedaboveanyofhisequalswiththegoodqualitiesrequisiteeitherforcommandorcounsel。Atlength，whenitwaslate，andtheyalmostdespaired，hereturnedfromthepursuitwithonlytwoorthreeofhiscompanionsallcoveredwiththefreshbloodofhisenemies，havingbeen，likesomedogofnoblebreed，carriedawaybythepleasure，greaterthanhecouldcontrol，ofhisfirstvictory。ThiswasthatScipiothatafterwardsdestroyedCarthageandNumantia，andwas，withoutdispute，thefirstoftheRomansinmerit，andhadthegreatestauthorityamongstthem。ThusFortune，deferringherdispleasureandjealousyofsuchgreatsuccesstosomeothertime，letAemiliusatpresentenjoythisvictory，withoutanydetractionordiminution。

AsforPerseus，fromPydnahefledtoPellawithhiscavalry，whichwasasyetalmostentire。Butwhenthefootcameupwiththem，and，upbraidingthemascowardsandtraitors，triedtopullthemofftheirhorses，andfelltoblows，Perseus，fearingthetumult，forsookthecommonroad，and，lestheshouldbeknown，pulledoffhispurple，andcarrieditbeforehim，andtookhiscrowninhishandand，thathemightthebetterconversewithhisfriends，alightedfromhishorseandledhim。Ofthosethatwereabouthim，onestopped，pretendingtotiehisshoethatwasloose，anothertowaterhishorse，athirdtodrinkhimself；andthuslaggingbehind，bydegreeslefthim，theyhavingnotsomuchreasontofeartheirenemiesashiscruelty；forhe，disorderedbyhismisfortune，soughttoclearhimselfbylayingthecauseoftheoverthrowuponeverybodyelse。HearrivedatPellainthenight，whereEuctusandEudaeus，twoofhistreasurers，cametohim，and，whatwiththeirreflectingonhisformerfaults，andtheirfreeandill—timedadmonitionsandcounsels，soexasperatedhim，thathekilledthemboth，stabbingthemwithhisowndagger。Afterthis，nobodystucktohimbutEvandertheCretan，ArchedemustheAetolian，andNeontheBoeotian。OfthecommonsoldierstherefollowedhimonlythosefromCrete，notoutofanygood—will，butbecausetheywereasconstanttohisrichesasthebeestotheirhive。Forhecarriedagreattreasurewithhim，outofwhichhehadsufferedthemtotakecups，bowls，andothervesselsofsilverandgold，tothevalueoffiftytalents。ButwhenhewascometoAmphipolis，andafterwardstoGalepsus，andhisfearswerealittleabated，herelapsedintohisoldandconstitutionaldiseaseofcovetousness，andlamentedtohisfriendsthathehad，throughinadvertency，allowedsomegoldplatewhichhadbelongedtoAlexandertheGreattogointothehandsoftheCretans，andbesoughtthosethathadit，withtearsinhiseyes，toexchangewithhimagainformoney。ThosethatunderstoodhimthoroughlyknewverywellthatheonlyplayedtheCretanwiththeCretans，butthosethatbelievedhim，andrestoredwhattheyhad，werecheated；ashenotonlydidnotpaythemoney，butbycraftgotthirtytalentsmoreofhisfriendsintohishands（whichinashorttimeafterfelltotheenemy），andwiththemsailedtoSamothrace，andtherefledtothetempleofCastorandPolluxforrefuge。

TheMacedonianswerealwaysaccountedgreatloversoftheirkings，butnow，asiftheirchiefpropwasbroken，theyallgavewaytogether，andsubmittedtoAemilius，andintwodaysmadehimmasteroftheirwholecountry。Thisseemstoconfirmtheopinionwhichascribeswhateverhedidtogoodfortune。Theomen，also，thathappenedatAmphipolishasasupernaturalcharacter。Whenhewas。

sacrificingthere，andtheholyriteswerejustbegun，onasudden，lightningfelluponthealtar，setthewoodonfire，andcompletedtheimmolationofthesacrifice。Themostsignalmanifestation，however，ofpreternaturalagencyappearsinthestoryoftherumourofhissuccess。ForonthefourthdayafterPerseuswasvanquishedatPydna，whilstthepeopleatRomewereseeingthehorse—races，areportsuddenlyroseattheentranceofthetheatrethatAemiliushaddefeatedPerseusinagreatbattle，andwasreducingallMacedoniaunderhispower；andfromthenceitspreadamongstthepeople，andcreatedgeneraljoy，withshoutingsandacclamationsforthatwholedaythroughthecity。Butwhennocertainauthorwasfoundofthenews，andeveryonealikehadtakenitatrandom，itwasabandonedforthepresentandthoughtnomoreof，until，afewdaysafter，certainintelligencecame，andthenthefirstwaslookeduponasnolessthanamiracle，having，underanappearanceoffiction，containedwhatwasrealandtrue。Itisreportedalso，thatthenewsofthebattlefoughtinItaly，neartheriverSagra，wasconveyedintoPeloponnesusthesameday，andofthatatMycaleagainsttheMedes，toPlataea。WhentheRomanshaddefeatedtheTarquins，whowerecombinedwiththeLatins，alittleaftertherewereseenatRometwotallandcomelymen，whoprofessedtobringthenewsfromthecamp。

TheywereconjecturedtobeCastorandPollux。Thefirstmanthatspoketothemintheforum，nearthefountainwheretheywerecoolingtheirhorses，whichwereallofafoam，expressedsurpriseatthereportofthevictory，when，itissaid，theysmiled，andgentlytouchedhisbeardwiththeirhands，thehairofwhichfrombeingblackwas，onthespot，changedtoyellow。Thisgavecredittowhattheysaid，andfixedthenameofAhenobarbus，orBrazen—beard，ontheman。Andathingwhichhappenedinourowntimewillmakeallthesecredible。ForwhenAntoniusrebelledagainstDomitian，andRomewasinconsternation，expectinggreatwarsfromthequarterofGermany，allonasudden，andnobodyknowsuponwhataccount，thepeoplespontaneouslygaveoutarumourofvictory，andthenewsrancurrentthroughthecity，thatAntoniushimselfwasslain，hiswholearmydestroyed，andnotsomuchasapartofitescaped；nay，thisbeliefwassostrongandpositive，thatmanyofthemagistratesofferedupsacrifice。Butwhen，atlength，theauthorwassoughtfor，andnonewastobefound，itvanishedbydegrees，everyoneshiftingitofffromhimselftoanother，and，atlast，waslostinthenumberlesscrowd，asinavastocean，and，havingnosolidgroundtosupportitscredit，wasinashorttimenotsomuchasnamedinthecity。Nevertheless，whenDomitianmarchedoutwithhisforcestothewar，hemetwithmessengersandlettersthatgavehimarelationofthevictory；andtherumour，itwasfound，hadcometheverydayitwasgained，thoughthedistancebetweentheplaceswasmorethantwenty—fivehundredmiles。Thetruthofthisnomanofourtimeisignorantof。

Buttoproceed。CnaeusOctavius，whowasjoinedincommandwithAemilius，cametoananchorwithhisfleetunderSamothrace，where，outofrespecttothegods，hepermittedPerseustoenjoythebenefitofrefuge，buttookcarethatheshouldnotescapebysea。

Notwithstanding，PerseussecretlypersuadedOroandesofCrete，masterofasmallvessel，toconveyhimandhistreasureaway。He，however，playingthetrueCretan，tookinthetreasure，andbadehimcome，inthenight，withhischildrenandmostnecessaryattendants，totheportbythetempleofCeres；but，assoonasitwasevening，setsailwithouthim。IthadbeensadenoughforPerseustobeforcedtoletdownhimself，hiswife，andchildrenthroughanarrowwindowbyawall—peoplealtogetherunaccustomedtohardshipandflying；butthatwhichdrewafarsaddersighfromhisheartwas，whenhewastoldbyaman，ashewanderedontheshore，thathehadseenOroandesundersailinthemainsea，itbeingnowaboutdaybreak。

So，therebeingnohopesleftofescaping，hefledbackagaintothewall，whichheandhiswiferecovered，thoughtheywereseenbytheRomans，beforetheycouldreachthem。HischildrenhehimselfhaddeliveredintothehandsofIon，onethathadbeenhisfavourite，butnowprovedhisbetrayer，andwasthechiefcausethatforcedhim（beaststhemselveswilldosowhentheiryoungonesaretaken）tocomeandyieldhimselfuptothosethathadthemintheirpower。HisgreatestconfidencewasinNasica，anditwasforhimhecalled，buthenotbeingthere，hebewailedhismisfortune，and，seeingtherewasnopossibleremedy，surrenderedhimselftoOctavius。Andhere，inparticular，hemadeitmanifestthathewaspossessedwithavicemoresordidthancovetousnessitself，namely，thefondnessoflife；bywhichhedeprivedhimselfevenofpity，theonlythingthatfortunenevertakesawayfromthemostwretched。HedesiredtobebroughttoAemilius，whoarosefromhisseat，and，accompaniedwithhisfriends，wenttoreceivehim，withtearsinhiseyes，asagreatmanfallenbytheangerofthegodsandhisownill—fortune；whenPerseus—

themostshamefulofsights—threwhimselfathisfeet，embracedhisknees，andutteredunmanlycriesandpetitions，suchasAemiliuswasnotabletobear，norwouldvouchsafetohear:butlookingonhimwithasadandangrycountenancehesaid，"Why，unhappyman，doyouthustakepainstoexoneratefortuneofyourheaviestchargeagainsther，byconductthatwillmakeitseemthatyouarenotunjustlyincalamity，andthatitisnotyourpresentcondition，butyourformerhappiness，thatwasmorethanyourdeserts？Andwhydepreciatealsomyvictory，andmakemyconquestsinsignificant，byprovingyourselfacoward，andafoebeneathaRoman？Distressedvalourchallengesgreatrespect，evenfromenemies；butcowardice，thoughneversosuccessful，fromtheRomanshasalwaysmetwithscorn。"Yetforallthishetookhimup，gavehimhishand，anddeliveredhimintothecustodyofTubero。Meantime，hehimselfcarriedhissons，hissons—in—law，andothersofchiefrank，especiallyoftheyoungersort，backwithhimintohistent，whereforalongtimehesatdownwithoutspeakingoneword，insomuchthattheyallwonderedathim。Atlast，hebegantodiscourseoffortuneandhumanaffairs。"Isitmeet，"saidhe，"forhimthatknowsheisbutman，inhisgreatestprosperitytopridehimself，andbeexaltedattheconquestofacity，nation，orkingdom，andnotratherwelltoweighthischangeoffortune，inwhichallwarriorsmayseeanexampleoftheircommonfrailty，andlearnalessonthatthereisnothingdurableorconstant？Forwhattimecanmenselecttothinkthemselvessecure，whenthatofvictoryitselfforcesusmorethananytodreadourownfortune？andaverylittleconsiderationonthelawofthings，andhowallarehurriedround，andeachman’sstationchanged，willintroducesadnessinthemidstofthegreatestjoy。Orcanyou，whenyouseebeforeyoureyesthesuccessionofAlexanderhimself，whoarrivedattheheightofpowerandruledthegreatestempire，intheshortspaceofanhourtroddenunderfoot—whenyoubeholdaking，thatwasbutevennowsurroundedwithsonumerousanarmy，receivingnourishmenttosupporthislifefromthehandsofhisconquerors—canyou，Isay，believethereisanycertaintyinwhatwenowpossesswhilstthereissuchathingaschance？No，youngmen，castoffthatvainprideandemptyboastofvictory；sitdownwithhumility，lookingalwaysforwhatisyettocome，andthepossiblefuturereverseswhichthedivinedispleasuremayeventuallymaketheendofourpresenthappiness。"ItissaidthatAemilius，havingspokenmuchmoretothesamepurpose，dismissedtheyoungmenproperlyhumbled，andwiththeirvaingloryandinsolencethoroughlychastenedandcurbedbyhisaddress。

Whenthiswasdone，heputhisarmyintogarrisons，torefreshthemselves，andwenthimselftovisitGreece，andtospendashorttimeinrelaxationsequallyhonourableandhumane。Forashepassed，heeasedthepeople’sgrievances，reformedtheirgovernments，andbestowedgiftsuponthem；tosomecorn，toothersoiloutoftheking’sstorehouses，inwhich，theyreport，thereweresuchvastquantitieslaidup，thatreceiversandpetitionerswerelackingbeforetheycouldbeexhausted。InDelphihefoundagreatsquarepillarofwhitemarble，designedforthepedestalofKingPerseus’sgoldenstatue，onwhichhecommandedhisowntobeplaced，allegingthatitwasbutjustthattheconqueredshouldgiveplacetotheconquerors。

InOlympiaheissaidtohaveutteredthesayingeverybodyhasheard，thatPhidiashadcarvedHomer’sJupiter。WhenthetencommissionersarrivedfromRome，hedeliveredupagaintotheMacedonianstheircitiesandcountry，grantingthemtoliveatliberty，andaccordingtotheirownlaws，onlypayingtheRomansthetributeofahundredtalents，doublewhichsumtheyhadbeenwonttopaytotheirkings。Thenhecelebratedallmannerofshowsandgames，andsacrificestothegods，andmadegreatentertainmentsandfeasts；thechargeofallwhichheliberallydefrayedoutoftheking’streasury；andshowedthatheunderstoodtheorderingandplacingofhisguests，andhoweverymanshouldbereceived，answerablytotheirrankandquality，withsuchniceexactness，thattheGreekswerefullofwonder，findingthecareofthesemattersofpleasuredidnotescapehim，andthatthoughinvolvedinsuchimportantbusiness，hecouldobservecorrectnessinthesetrifles。Norwasitleastgratifyingtohim，that，amidstallthemagnificentandsplendidpreparations，hehimselfwasalwaysthemostgratefulsight，andgreatestpleasuretothoseheentertained。Andhetoldthosethatseemedtowonderathisdiligence，thattherewasthesamespiritshowninmarshalling，abanquetasanarmy；inrenderingtheoneformidabletotheenemy，theotheracceptabletotheguests。

Nordidmenlesspraisehisliberality，andthegreatnessofhissoul，thanhisothervirtues；forhewouldnotsomuchasseethosegreatquantitiesofsilverandgold，whichwereheapedtogetheroutoftheking’spalaces，butdeliveredthemtothequaestors，tobeputintothepublictreasury。Heonlypermittedhisownsons，whoweregreatloversoflearning，totaketheking’sbooks；andwhenhedistributedrewardsduetoextraordinaryvalour，hegavehisson—in—law，AeliusTubero，abowlthatweighedfivepounds。ThisisthatTuberowehavealreadymentioned，whowasoneofsixteenrelationsthatlivedtogether，andwereallmaintainedoutofonelittlefarm；anditissaidthatthiswasthefirstplatethateverenteredthehouseoftheAelii，broughtthitherasanhonourandrewardofvirtue；beforethistime，neithertheynortheirwivesevermadeuseeitherofsilverorgold。

Havingthussettledeverythingwell，takinghisleaveoftheGreeks，andexhortingtheMacedonians，that，mindfulofthelibertytheyhadreceivedfromtheRomans，theyshouldendeavourtomaintainitbytheirobediencetothelaws，andconcordamongstthemselves，hedepartedforEpirus，havingordersfromthesenatetogivethesoldiersthatfollowedhiminthewaragainstPerseusthepillageofthecitiesofthatcountry。Thathemightsetuponthemallatoncebysurpriseandunawares，hesummonedtenoftheprincipalmenoutofeach，whomhecommanded，onsuchanappointedday，tobringallthegoldandsilvertheyhadeitherintheirprivatehousesortemples；

and，witheveryoneofthese，asifitwereforthisverypurpose，andunderapretenceofsearchingforandreceivingthegold，hesentacenturionandaguardofsoldiers；who，thesetdaybeingcome，roseallatonce，andattheveryself—sametimefelluponthem，andproceededtoransackthecities；sothatinonehourahundredandfiftythousandpersonsweremadeslaves，andthreescoreandtencitiessacked。Yetwhatwasgiventoeachsoldier，outofsovastadestructionandutterruin，amountedtonomorethanelevendrachmas；sothatmencouldonlyshudderattheissueofawar，wherethewealthofawholenationthusdividedturnedtosolittleadvantageandprofittoeachparticularman。

WhenAemiliushaddonethis—anactionperfectlycontrarytohisgentleandmildnature—hewentdowntoOricus，whereheembarkedhisarmyforItaly。HesaileduptheriverTiberintheking’sgalley，thathadsixteenbanksofoars，andwasrichlyadornedwithcapturedarmsandwithclothsofpurpleandscarlet；sothat，thevesselrowingslowlyagainstthestream，theRomansthatcrowdedontheshoretomeethimhadaforetasteofhisfollowingtriumph。Butthesoldiers，whohadcastacovetouseyeonthetreasuresofPerseus，whentheydidnotobtainasmuchastheythoughttheydeserved，weresecretlyenragedandangrywithAemiliusforthis，butopenlycomplainedthathehadbeenasevereandtyrannicalcommanderoverthem；norweretheyreadytoshowtheirdesireofhistriumph。WhenServiusGalba，whowasAemilius’senemy，thoughhecommandedastribuneunderhim，understoodthis，hehadtheboldnessplainlytoaffirmthatatriumphwasnottobeallowedhim；andsowedvariouscalumniesamongstthesoldiers，whichyetfurtherincreasedtheirill—will。Naymore，hedesiredthetribunesofthepeople，becausethefourhoursthatwereremainingofthedaycouldnotsufficefortheaccusation，tolethimputitofftillanother。Butwhenthetribunescommandedhimtospeakthen，ifhehadanythingtosay，hebeganalongoration，filledwithallmannerofreproaches，inwhichhespenttheremainingpartofthetime，andthetribunes，whenitwasdark，dismissedtheassembly。Thesoldiersgrowingmorevehementonthis，throngedalltoGalba，andenteringintoaconspiracy，earlyinthemorningbesetthecapitol，wherethetribuneshadappointedthefollowingassemblytobeheld。

Assoonasitwasdayitwasputtothevote，andthefirsttribewasproceedingtorefusethetriumph；andthenewsspreadamongstthepeopleandtothesenate。ThepeoplewereindeedmuchgrievedthatAemiliusshouldmeetwithsuchignominy；butthiswasonlyinwords，whichhadnoeffect。Thechiefofthesenateexclaimedagainstitasabaseaction，andexcitedoneanothertorepresstheboldnessandinsolenceofthesoldiers，whichwoulderelongbecomealtogetherungovernableandviolent，weretheynowpermittedtodepriveAemiliusofhistriumph。Forcingapassagethroughthecrowd，theycameupingreatnumbers，anddesiredthetribunestodeferpollingtilltheyhadspokenwhattheyhadtosaytothepeople。Allthingsthussuspended，andsilencebeingmade，MarcusServiliusstoodup，amanofconsulardignity，andwhohadkilledtwenty—threeofhisenemiesthathadchallengedhiminsinglecombat。"Itisnowmorethanever，"saidhe，"cleartomymindhowgreatacommanderourAemiliusPaulusis，whenIseehewasabletoperformsuchfamousandgreatexploitswithanarmysofullofseditionandbaseness；norcanI

sufficientlywonder，thatapeoplethatseemedtogloryinthetriumphsoverIllyriansandLigurians，shouldnowthroughenvyrefusetoseetheMacedoniankingledalive，andallthegloryofPhilipandAlexander，incaptivitytotheRomanpower。Forisitnotastrangethingforyou，whouponaslightrumourofvictorythatcamebychanceintothecity，didoffersacrificesandputupyourrequestsuntothegodsthatyoumightseethereportverified，now，whenthegeneralisreturnedwithanundoubtedconquest，todefraudthegodsofhonour，andyourselvesofjoy，asifyoufearedtobeholdthegreatnessofhiswarlikedeed，orwereresolvedtospareyourenemy？

Andofthetwo，muchbetterwereittoputastoptothetriumph，outofpitytohim，thanoutofenvytoyourgeneral；yettosuchaheightofpowerismalicearrivedamongstyou，thatamanwithoutonescartoshowonhisskin，thatissmoothandsleekwitheaseandhomekeepinghabits，willundertaketodefinetheofficeanddutiesofageneralbeforeus，whowithourownwoundshavebeentaughthowtojudgeofthevalourorthecowardiceofcommanders。"And，atthesametime，puttingasidehisgarment，heshowedaninfinitenumberofscarsuponhisbreast，and，turningabout，heexposedsomepartsofhispersonwhichitisusualtoconceal；and，addressingGalba，said:"Youderidemeforthese，inwhichIglorybeforemyfellow—citizens，foritisintheirservice，inwhichIhaveriddennightandday，thatIreceivedthem；butgocollectthevotes，whilstIfollowafter，andnotethebaseandungrateful，andsuchaschooserathertobeflatteredandcourtedthancommandedbytheirgeneral。"Itissaidthisspeechsostoppedthesoldiers’mouths，andalteredtheirminds，thatallthetribesdecreedatriumphforAemilius；whichwasperformedafterthismanner。

Thepeopleerectedscaffoldsintheforum，inthecircuses，astheycalltheirbuildingsforhorse—races，andinallotherpartsofthecitywheretheycouldbestbeholdtheshow。Thespectatorswerecladinwhitegarments；allthetempleswereopen，andfullofgarlandsandperfumes；thewayswereclearedandkeptopenbynumerousofficers，whodrovebackallwhocrowdedintoorranacrossthemainavenue。Thistriumphlastedthreedays。Onthefirst，whichwasscarcelylongenoughforthesight，weretobeseenthestatues，pictures，andcolossalimageswhichweretakenfromtheenemy，drawnupontwohundredandfiftychariots。OnthesecondwascarriedinagreatmanywagonsthefinestandrichestarmouroftheMacedonians，bothofbrassandsteel，allnewlypolishedandglitteringthepiecesofwhichwerepiledupandarrangedpurposelywiththegreatestart，soastoseemtobetumbledinheapscarelesslyandbychance:

helmetswerethrownuponshields，coatsofmailupongreaves；Cretantargets，andThracianbucklersandquiversofarrows，layhuddledamongsthorses’bits，andthroughthesethereappearedthepointsofnakedswords，intermixedwithlongMacedoniansarissas。Allthesearmswerefastenedtogetherwithjustsomuchloosenessthattheystruckagainstoneanotherastheyweredrawnalong，andmadeaharshandalarmingnoise，sothat，evenasspoilsofaconqueredenemy，theycouldnotbebeheldwithoutdread。Afterthesewagonsloadedwitharmourtherefollowedthreethousandmenwhocarriedthesilverthatwascoined，insevenhundredandfiftyvessels，eachofwhichweighedthreetalents，andwascarriedbyfourmen。Othersbroughtsilverbowlsandgobletsandcups，alldisposedinsuchorderastomakethebestshow，andallcuriousaswellfortheirsizeasthesolidityoftheirembossedwork。

Onthethirdday，earlyinthemorning，firstcamethetrumpeters，whodidnotsoundastheywerewontinaprocessionorsolemnentry，butsuchachargeastheRomansusewhentheyencouragethesoldierstofight。Nextfollowedyoungmenwearingfrockswithornamentedborders，wholedtothesacrificeahundredandtwentystalledoxen，withtheirhornsgilded，andtheirheadsadornedwithribbonsandgarlands；andwiththesewereboysthatcarriedbasinsforlibation，ofsilverandgold。Afterthiswasbroughtthegoldcoin，whichwasdividedintovesselsthatweighedthreetalents，likethosethatcontainedthesilver；theywereinnumberseventy—seven。ThesewerefollowedbythosethatbroughttheconsecratedbowlwhichAemiliushadcausedtobemade，thatweighedtentalents，andwassetwithpreciousstones。ThenwereexposedtoviewthecupsofAntigonusandSeleucus，andthoseoftheThericleanmake，andallthegoldplatethatwasusedatPerseus’stable。NexttothesecamePerseus’schariot，inwhichhisarmourwasplaced，andonthathisdiadem。

And，afteralittleintermission，theking’schildrenwereledcaptives，andwiththematrainoftheirattendants，masters，andteachers，allsheddingtears，andstretchingouthandstothespectators，andmakingthechildrenthemselvesalsobegandentreattheircompassion。Thereweretwosonsandadaughter，whosetenderagemadethembutlittlesensibleofthegreatnessoftheirmisery，whichveryinsensibilityoftheirconditionrendereditthemoredeplorable；insomuchthatPerseushimselfwasscarcelyregardedashewentalong，whilstpityfixedtheeyesoftheRomansupontheinfants；andmanyofthemcouldnotforbeartears，andallbeheldthesightwithamixtureofsorrowandpleasure，untilthechildrenwerepassed。

AfterhischildrenandtheirattendantscamePerseushimself，cladallinblack，andwearingthebootsofhiscountry，andlookinglikeonealtogetherstunnedanddeprivedofreason，throughthegreatnessofhismisfortunes。Nextfollowedagreatcompanyofhisfriendsandfamiliars，whosecountenancesweredisfiguredwithgrief，andwholetthespectatorssee，bytheirtearsandtheircontinuallookinguponPerseus，thatitwashisfortunetheysomuchlamented，andthattheywereregardlessoftheirown。PerseussenttoAemiliustoentreatthathemightnotbeledinpomp，butbeleftoutofthetriumph；who，deriding，aswasbutjust，hiscowardiceandfondnessoflife，senthimthisanswer，thatasforthat，ithadbeenbefore，andwasnow，inhisownpower；givinghimtounderstandthatthedisgracecouldbeavoidedbydeath；whichthefaint—heartedmannothavingthespiritfor，andmadeeffeminatebyIknownotwhathopes，allowedhimselftoappearasapartofhisownspoils。Afterthesewerecarriedfourhundredcrowns，allmadeofgold，sentfromthecitiesbytheirrespectivedeputationstoAemilius，inhonourofhisvictory。Thenhehimselfcame，seatedonachariotmagnificentlyadorned（amanwellworthytobelookedat，evenwithouttheseensignsofpower），dressedinarobeofpurple，interwovenwithgold，andholdingalaurelbranchinhisrighthand。Allthearmy，inlikemanner，withboughsoflaurelintheirhands，dividedintotheirhandsandcompanies，followedthechariotoftheircommander；somesingingverses，accordingtotheusualcustom，mingledwithraillery；

others，songsoftriumphandthepraiseofAemilius’sdeeds；who，indeed，wasadmiredandaccountedhappybyallmen，andunenviedbyeveryonethatwasgood；exceptsofarasitseemstheprovinceofsomegodtolessenthathappinesswhichistoogreatandinordinate，andsotomingletheaffairsofhumanlifethatnooneshouldbeentirelyfreeandexemptfromcalamities；but，aswereadinHomer，thatthoseshouldthinkthemselvestrulyblessedwhomfortunehasgivenanequalshareofgoodandevil。

Aemiliushadfoursons，ofwhomScipioandFabius，asisalreadyrelated，wereadoptedintootherfamilies；theothertwo，whomhehadbyasecondwife，andwhowereyetbutyoung，hebroughtupinhisownhouse。Oneofthesediedatfourteenyearsofage，fivedaysbeforehisfather’striumph，theotherattwelve，threedaysafter；sothattherewasnoRomanwithoutadeepsenseofhissuffering，andwhodidnotshudderatthecrueltyoffortune，thathadnotscrupledtobringsomuchsorrowintoahousereplenishedwithhappiness，rejoicing，andsacrifices，andtointermingletearsandlamentswithsongsofvictoryandtriumph。

Aemilius，however，reasoningjustlythatcourageandresolutionwasnotmerelytoresistarmourandspears，butalltheshocksofill—fortune，sometandsoadaptedhimselftothesemingledandcontrastingcircumstances，astooutbalancetheevilwiththegood，andhisprivateconcernswiththoseofthepublic；andthusdidnotallowanythingeithertotakeawayfromthegrandeur，orsullythedignityofhisvictory。Forassoonashehadburiedthefirstofhissons（aswehavealreadysaid），hetriumphed；andtheseconddyingalmostassoonashistriumphwasover，hegatheredtogetheranassemblyofthepeople，andmadeanorationtothem，notlikeamanthatstoodinneedofcomfortfromothers，butonethatundertooktosupporthisfellow—citizensintheirgriefforthesufferingshehimselfunderwent。

"I，"hesaid，"whoneveryetfearedanythingthatwashuman，have，amongstsuchasweredivine，alwayshadadreadofFortuneasfaithlessandinconstant；and，fortheveryreasonthatinthiswarshehadbeenasafavourablegaleinallmyaffairs，Istillexpectedsomechangeandrefluxofthings。InonedayIpassedtheIoniansea，andreachedCorcyrafromBrundisium；thenceinfivemoreI

sacrificedatDelphi，andinotherfivedayscametomyforcesinMacedonia，where，afterIhadfinishedtheusualsacrificesforthepurifyingofthearmy，Ienteredonmyduties，and，inspaceoffifteendays，putanhonourableperiodtothewar。StillretainingajealousyofFortune，evenfromthesmoothcurrentofmyaffairs，andseeingmyselfsecureandfreefromthedangerofanyenemy，I

chieflydreadedthechangeofthegoddessatsea，whilstconveyinghomemyvictoriousarmy，vastspoils，andacaptiveking。Nay，indeed，afterIwasreturnedtoyousafe，andsawthecityfullofjoy，congratulating，andsacrifices，yetstillIdistrusted，wellknowingthatFortuneneverconferredanygreatbenefitsthatwereunmixedandunattendedwithprobabilitiesofreverse。Norcouldmymind，thatwasstillasitwereinlabour，andalwaysforeseeingsomethingtobefallthiscity，freeitselffromthisfear，untilthisgreatmisfortunebefellmeinmyownfamily，andtill，inthemidstofthosedayssetapartfortriumph，Icarriedtwoofthebestsons，myonlydestinedsuccessors，oneafteranothertotheirfunerals。Now，therefore，Iammyselfsafefromdanger，atleastastowhatwasmygreatestcare；andItrustandamverilypersuadedthatforthetimetocomeFortunewillproveconstantandharmlessuntoyou；sinceshehassufficientlywreakedherjealousyatourgreatsuccessonmeandmine，andhasmadetheconquerorasmarkedanexampleofhumaninstabilityasthecaptivewhomheledintriumph，withthisonlydifference，thatPerseus，thoughconquered，doesyetenjoyhischildren，whiletheconqueror，Aemilius，isdeprivedofhis。"ThiswasthegenerousandmagnanimousorationAemiliusissaidtohavespokentothepeople，fromahearttrulysincereandfreefromallartifice。

AlthoughheverymuchpitiedtheconditionofPerseus，andstudiedtobefriendhiminwhathewasable，yethecouldprocurenootherfavourthanhisremovalfromthecommonprison，theCarcer，intoamorecleanlyandhumaneplaceofsecurity，where，whilsthewasguarded，itissaid，hestarvedhimselftodeath。Othersstatehisdeathtobeofthestrangestandmostunusualcharacter:thatthesoldierswhowerehisguard，havingconceivedaspiteandhatredagainsthimforsomereason，andfindingnootherwaytogrieveandafflicthim，kepthimfromsleep，tookpainstodisturbhimwhenhewasdisposedtorest，andfoundoutcontrivancestokeephimcontinuallyawake，bywhichmeansatlengthhewasutterlywornout，andexpired。Twoofhischildren，also，diedsoonafterhim；thethird，whowasnamedAlexander，theysayprovedanexquisiteartistinturningandgravingsmallfigures，andlearnedsoperfectlytospeakandwritetheRomanlanguage，thathebecameclerktothemagistrates，andbehavedhimselfinhisofficewithgreatskillandconduct。

【推荐阅读】幽幽深宫，醒来一梦似千年，重生于下堂妃身躯中的她，将如何手刃仇人? 点击阅读