Titus Livius (Livy), The History of Rome, Book 28, Summary
Frank Gardener Moore, Professor Emeritus in Columbia University, Ed.

Summary of Book XXVIII

Successes gained in Spain against the Carthaginians by Silanus, Scipio's lieutenant, and by his brother Lucius Scipio are narrated, and those gained by Publius Sulpicius as proconsul with Attalus, King of Asia, as ally against Philip, King of the Macedonians, on behalf of the Aetolians. When a triumph was awarded by decree to Marcus Livius and Claudius Nero, the consuls, Livius, who had commanded in his own province, drove into the city in a four-horse chariot. Nero, who had entered his colleague's province to aid him to victory, followed on horseback; and in this appearance he earned more fame and respect; for he had done more also than his colleague in the war. The fire in Vesta's temple went out owing to the carelessness of the virgin who had failed to keep watch over it. She was scourged. Publius Scipio brought the war with the Carthaginians in Spain to an end in the fourteenth year of the war, the fifth year after his arrival; and he gained possession of Spain after completely shutting the enemy out from occupation of that province. And from Tarraco¹ he crossed over into Africa, to Syphax, King of the Massylians, and made a treaty with him. Hasdrubal son of Gisgo dined with him there, reclining on the same couch. Scipio gave a gladiatorial show at New Carthage in honour of his father and uncle, not by gladiators but by men who went into the arena either to honour the general or in accepting a challenge. In that show princes who were brothers fought for kingship with the sword. During the siege of the city of Gisia² the citizens slew their children and wives upon a pyre which they had built and threw themselves upon it. Scipio himself, when a mutiny broke out in one part of the army while he was [p. 203] seriously ill, upon recovering quelled it and compelled the rebellious peoples in Spain to surrender. And he made friends with Masinissa, King of the Numidians, who promised him assistance if he should cross over to Africa. Having made friends with the men of Gades also after the departure of Mago, who had received written orders from Carthage to cross over to Italy, Scipio returned to Rome and was elected consul. When he begged for Africa as his province, while Quintus Fabius Maximus opposed, Sicily was given to him and he was permitted to cross over to Africa if he thought that for the advantage of the state. Mago son of Hamilcar crossed over to Italy from the smaller of the Balearic Islands, where he had wintered.