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Sci'pio

13. L. Cornelius Scipio Asiaticus, also called ASIAGENES or ASIAGENUS, was the son of No. 9, and the brother of the great Africanus [No. 12]. He served under his brother in Spain, where he took the town of Oringis in B. C. 208 ; and on the completion of the war was sent by his brother to Rome, with the joyful news. He was praetor in B. C. 193, when he obtained the province of Sicily, and consul in B. C. 190, with C. Laelius. The senate had not much confidence in his abilities (Cic. Phil. 11.7), and it was only through the offer of his brother Africanus to accompany him as a legate that he obtained the province of Greece and the conduct of the war against Antiochus (Liv. 28.3, 4, 17, 34.54, 55, 36.45, 37.1). He defeated Antiochus at Mount Sipylus, in B. C. 190, entered Rome in triumph in the following year, and assumed the surname of Asiaticus. The history of his accusation and condemnation, and of the confiscation of his property, has been already related in the life of his brother. But notwithstanding the poverty to which he is said to have been reduced (Liv. 38.60), he celebrated with great splendour, in B. C. 185, the games which he had vowed in his war with Antiochus. Valerius of Antium related that he obtained the necessary money during an embassy on which he was sent after his condemnation, to settle the disputes between the kings Antiochus and Eumenes. He was a candidate for the censorship in B. C. 184, but was defeated by the old enemy of his family, M. Porcius Cato, who gave another proof of his hatred to the family by depriving Asiaticus of his horse at the review of the equites (Liv. 39.22, 40, 44). It appears, therefore, that even as late as this time an eques did not forfeit his horse by becoming a senator.

The name of Scipio Asiaticus occurs on coins, and he is the only one of the family of whom coins are extant. On the obverse is a head crowned with laurel, and on the reverse Jupiter driving a quadriga, with L. SCIP. ASIAG. i. e. Asiagenes or Asiagenus. Though Livy usually calls him Asiaticus, he gives Asiagenes as his surname in one passage (39.44): in the epitaph on his tomb he is called Asiagenus.

William Smith. A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. London. John Murray: printed by Spottiswoode and Co., New-Street Square and Parliament Street. In the article on Soranus, we find: "at this present time (1848)" and this date seems to reflect the dates of works cited. 1873 - probably the printing date.
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190 BC (2)
208 BC (1)
193 BC (1)
185 BC (1)
184 BC (1)
hide References (12 total)
  • Cross-references from this page (12):
    • Cicero, Philippics, 11.7
    • Livy, The History of Rome, Book 28, 3
    • Livy, The History of Rome, Book 36, 45
    • Livy, The History of Rome, Book 38, 60
    • Livy, The History of Rome, Book 39, 44
    • Livy, The History of Rome, Book 34, 54
    • Livy, The History of Rome, Book 34, 55
    • Livy, The History of Rome, Book 37, 1
    • Livy, The History of Rome, Book 28, 17
    • Livy, The History of Rome, Book 28, 4
    • Livy, The History of Rome, Book 39, 22
    • Livy, The History of Rome, Book 39, 40
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