14.
Sulpicius, falling sick, staid at Pergamus. Villius, on hearing that the king was carrying on war in Pisidia. went [p. 1567]on to Ephesus, and, during a few days that he halted in that city, took pains
[2??]
to procure frequent interviews with Hannibal, who happened to be there at the time, in
[3??]
order to sound his intentions, if possible, and to remove his apprehensions of danger threatening him from the Romans.
[4]
No other business, indeed, of any kind was brought forward at these meetings; yet they accidentally produced an important consequence, as effectually as if it had been intentionally sought; the lowering Hannibal in the esteem of the king, and rendering him more obnoxious to suspicion in every matter.
[5]
Claudius, following the history written in Greek by Acilius, says, that Publius Africanus was employed in this embassy, and that it was he who conversed with Hannibal at Ephesus. He even relates one of their conversations, in which Scipio asked Hannibal, “whom he thought the greatest captain?”
[6]
and that he answered, “Alexander, king of Macedonia; because, with a small band, he defeated armies whose numbers were beyond reckoning;
[7]
and because he had overrun the remotest regions, the merely visiting of which was a thing above human aspiration.” Scipio then asked, “to whom he gave the second place?”
[8]
and he replied, “To Pyrrhus; for he first taught the method of encamping;
[9]
and besides, no one ever showed more exquisite judgment, in choosing his ground, and disposing his posts; while he also possessed the art of conciliating mankind to himself to such a degree, that the nations of Italy wished him, though a foreign prince, to hold the sovereignty among them, rather than the Roman people, who had so long possessed the dominion of that part of the world.”
[10]
On his proceeding to ask, “whom he esteemed the third?” Hannibal replied, “Myself, beyond doubt.”
[11]
On this Scipio laughed, and added, “What would you have said if you had conquered me?” “Then,” replied the other, “I would have placed Hannibal, not only before Alexander and Pyrrhus, but before all other commanders.”
[12]
This answer, turned with Punic dexterity, and conveying an unexpected kind of flattery, was highly grateful to Scipio, as it set him apart from the crowd of commanders, as one of incomparable eminence.
Livy. History of Rome by Titus Livius, books twenty-seven to thirty-six. literally translated, with notes and illustrations, by. Cyrus Edmonds. York Street, Covent Garden, London. Henry G. Bohn. John Child and son, printers, Bungay. 1850. 3.
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