Scipio Asiaticus
Encyclopedia
Lucius Cornelius Scipio Asiaticus (2nd century BC-aft. 183 BC) was a Roman
general and statesman. He was the son of Publius Cornelius Scipio
and the older brother of Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus. He was elected consul
in 190 BC, and later that year led (with his brother) the Roman forces to victory at the Battle of Magnesia
.
While his career may be eclipsed by the shadow of his elder brother, Lucius' life is noteworthy in several respects.
Asiaticus served under his brother in Spain, and in 208 BC took a town on his own. He was sent to the Senate with the news of the victory in the Spanish war, c. 206 BC. In 193 BC, he was elected praetor
, with Sicily as his province, with the influence of his brother; however, Scipio's declining influence was not sufficient to get him elected consul in 191 BC. He was finally elected consul in 190 BC with his co-consul being his brother's old second-in-command Gaius Laelius
.
The loser was therefore his co-consul Gaius Laelius who was not a rich man, and who had hoped to make his family fortunes in the East.
As consular commander of the forces sent against Antiochus III, Asiaticus was a bitter enemy of the Aetolians. He refused the peace negotiated with the Aetolians by his brother, thus proving him to be of a strong nature.
He was supreme commander at Magnesia and thus received full credit (at his brother's insistence) for the victory over Antiochus. Upon his return to Rome, he celebrated a full triumph
and requested the title "Asiaticus" to signify his conquest of Western Asia Minor
.
According to some biblical commentators, Asiaticus is the "commander" referred to in Daniel 11:18, where it says that "a commander will put an end to his insolence" (NIV).
, was outraged, going as far as destroying the campaign's financial records while on the floor of the Senate as an act of defiance.
After his brother's death (c. 183 BC), Lucius was thrown in prison for this supposed theft. He was eventually pardoned by the tribune Tiberius Gracchus
, although he was forced to sell his property and pay the state a lump sum. Roman historians report that he refused to accept any gifts or loans from his friends to pay the penalty.
During his brother's lifetime in 185 BC, Asiaticus celebrated with great splendour 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 184 BC, but was defeated by the old enemy of his family, M. Porcius Cato, who deprived Asiaticus of his Public Horse at the review of the equites. It appears, therefore, that even as late as this time an eques did not forfeit his horse by becoming a senator.
His coins are the only ones of his family to survive.
who had an adoptive son. This son passed into obscurity after 82 BC.
Lucius Cornelius Scipio was sent to meet King Prusias II of Bithynia
and conduct him to Rome, when this monarch visited Italy in 167 BC. Smith reports that this quaestor is probably to be identified with the Lucius Cornelius Scipio, son of Lucius, grandson of Publius, who is commemorated in the elogia Scipionum from the Tomb of the Scipios
in Rome. His father was the conqueror of Antiochus. The inscription is:
.
A transliteration into modern upper and lower case letters with punctuation, with an understood letter in brackets, is:
A translation into classical Latin is:
A translation into English is:
, is first mentioned in 100 BC, when he took up arms with the other members of the senate against Saturninus (Cic. pro Rabir. Perd. 7). In the Social War he was stationed with L. Acilius in the town of Aesernia, from which they escaped on the approach of Vettius Scato in the dress of slaves. He belonged to the Marian party in the civil wars, and was appointed consul in 83 BC with C. Norbanus
. In this year Sulla returned to Italy, and advanced against the consuls. He defeated Norbanus in Italy, but seduced the troops of Scipio to desert their general.
He was taken prisoner in his camp along with his son Lucius, but was dismissed by Sulla uninjured. He was, however, included in the proscription in the following year, 82 BC, whereupon he fled to Massilia, and passed there the remainder of his life. His daughter was married to P. Sestius. Cicero speaks favourably of the oratorical powers of this Scipio.
Roman Republic
The Roman Republic was the period of the ancient Roman civilization where the government operated as a republic. It began with the overthrow of the Roman monarchy, traditionally dated around 508 BC, and its replacement by a government headed by two consuls, elected annually by the citizens and...
general and statesman. He was the son of Publius Cornelius Scipio
Publius Cornelius Scipio
Publius Cornelius Scipio was a general and statesman of the Roman Republic.A member of the Corneliagens, Scipio served as consul in 218 BC, the first year of the Second Punic War, and sailed with an army from Pisa to Massilia , with the intention of arresting Hannibal's advance on Italy...
and the older brother of Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus. He was elected consul
Consul
Consul was the highest elected office of the Roman Republic and an appointive office under the Empire. The title was also used in other city states and also revived in modern states, notably in the First French Republic...
in 190 BC, and later that year led (with his brother) the Roman forces to victory at the Battle of Magnesia
Battle of Magnesia
The Battle of Magnesia was fought in 190 BC near Magnesia ad Sipylum, on the plains of Lydia , between the Romans, led by the consul Lucius Cornelius Scipio and his brother, the famed general Scipio Africanus, with their ally Eumenes II of Pergamum against the army of Antiochus III the Great of the...
.
While his career may be eclipsed by the shadow of his elder brother, Lucius' life is noteworthy in several respects.
Early career
Lucius and his brother both became aediles at a very young age; Scipio became curule aedile in 214 or 213 BC, but Lucius's aedileship is undated.Asiaticus served under his brother in Spain, and in 208 BC took a town on his own. He was sent to the Senate with the news of the victory in the Spanish war, c. 206 BC. In 193 BC, he was elected praetor
Praetor
Praetor was a title granted by the government of Ancient Rome to men acting in one of two official capacities: the commander of an army, usually in the field, or the named commander before mustering the army; and an elected magistratus assigned varied duties...
, with Sicily as his province, with the influence of his brother; however, Scipio's declining influence was not sufficient to get him elected consul in 191 BC. He was finally elected consul in 190 BC with his co-consul being his brother's old second-in-command Gaius Laelius
Gaius Laelius
Gaius Laelius — also Caius Lelius — general and statesman, was a friend of Scipio Africanus, whom he accompanied on his Iberian campaign...
.
Consul and proconsul
According to Smith:The senate had not much confidence in his abilities (Cic. Phil. xi. 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.
The loser was therefore his co-consul Gaius Laelius who was not a rich man, and who had hoped to make his family fortunes in the East.
As consular commander of the forces sent against Antiochus III, Asiaticus was a bitter enemy of the Aetolians. He refused the peace negotiated with the Aetolians by his brother, thus proving him to be of a strong nature.
He was supreme commander at Magnesia and thus received full credit (at his brother's insistence) for the victory over Antiochus. Upon his return to Rome, he celebrated a full triumph
Roman triumph
The Roman triumph was a civil ceremony and religious rite of ancient Rome, held to publicly celebrate and sanctify the military achievement of an army commander who had won great military successes, or originally and traditionally, one who had successfully completed a foreign war. In Republican...
and requested the title "Asiaticus" to signify his conquest of Western Asia Minor
Asia Minor
Asia Minor is a geographical location at the westernmost protrusion of Asia, also called Anatolia, and corresponds to the western two thirds of the Asian part of Turkey...
.
According to some biblical commentators, Asiaticus is the "commander" referred to in Daniel 11:18, where it says that "a commander will put an end to his insolence" (NIV).
Political fall
Towards the end of his brother's life, Lucius was accused of misappropriating the funds collected from Antiochus as an indemnity. Africanus, then Princeps SenatusPrinceps senatus
The princeps senatus was the first member by precedence of the Roman Senate. Although officially out of the cursus honorum and owning no imperium, this office brought enormous prestige to the senator holding it.-Overview:...
, was outraged, going as far as destroying the campaign's financial records while on the floor of the Senate as an act of defiance.
After his brother's death (c. 183 BC), Lucius was thrown in prison for this supposed theft. He was eventually pardoned by the tribune Tiberius Gracchus
Tiberius Gracchus Major
Tiberius Gracchus major or Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus was a Roman politician of the 2nd century BC...
, although he was forced to sell his property and pay the state a lump sum. Roman historians report that he refused to accept any gifts or loans from his friends to pay the penalty.
During his brother's lifetime in 185 BC, Asiaticus celebrated with great splendour 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 184 BC, but was defeated by the old enemy of his family, M. Porcius Cato, who deprived Asiaticus of his Public Horse at the review of the equites. It appears, therefore, that even as late as this time an eques did not forfeit his horse by becoming a senator.
His coins are the only ones of his family to survive.
Descendants
Asiaticus had descendants, the Cornelii Scipiones Asiatici, the last of whom was the consul Lucius Cornelius Scipio AsiaticusLucius Cornelius Scipio Asiaticus (consul 83 BC)
Lucius Cornelius Scipio Asiaticus was a lineal descendant and great-grandson of Lucius Cornelius Scipio Asiaticus, consul 190 BC, who was victor of the Battle of Magnesia ....
who had an adoptive son. This son passed into obscurity after 82 BC.
Lucius Cornelius Scipio Asiaticus II
Livy records that the quaestorQuaestor
A Quaestor was a type of public official in the "Cursus honorum" system who supervised financial affairs. In the Roman Republic a quaestor was an elected official whereas, with the autocratic government of the Roman Empire, quaestors were simply appointed....
Lucius Cornelius Scipio was sent to meet King Prusias II of Bithynia
Prusias II of Bithynia
Prusias II Cynegus was the king of Bithynia. He was the son and successor of Prusias I and Apama III....
and conduct him to Rome, when this monarch visited Italy in 167 BC. Smith reports that this quaestor is probably to be identified with the Lucius Cornelius Scipio, son of Lucius, grandson of Publius, who is commemorated in the elogia Scipionum from the Tomb of the Scipios
Tomb of the Scipios
The Tomb of the Scipios , also called the hypogaeum Scipionum, was the common tomb of the patrician Scipio family during the Roman Republic for interments between the early 3rd century BC and the early 1st century AD...
in Rome. His father was the conqueror of Antiochus. The inscription is:
.
- L·CORNELI L·F P
- SCIPIO·QVAIST
- TR·MIL·ANNOS
- GNATOS XXX·III
- MORTVOS·PATER
- REGEM ANTIOCO
- SUBEGIT
A transliteration into modern upper and lower case letters with punctuation, with an understood letter in brackets, is:
- L. Corneli. L. f. P. [n]
- Scipio, quaist.,
- tr. mil., annos
- gnatus XXXIII
- mortuos. Pater
- regem Antioco subegit.
A translation into classical Latin is:
- Lucius Cornelius Lucii filius Publii nepos Scipio. Quaestor Tribunis Militum annos natus XXXIII mortuus. Pater regem Antiochum subegit.
A translation into English is:
- Lucius Cornelius, son of Lucius, grandson of Publius, Scipio, quaestor, military tribune, died aged 33 years. His father conquered king Antiochus.
Lucius Cornelius Scipio Asiaticus IV
Lucius Cornelius Scipio AsiaticusLucius Cornelius Scipio Asiaticus (consul 83 BC)
Lucius Cornelius Scipio Asiaticus was a lineal descendant and great-grandson of Lucius Cornelius Scipio Asiaticus, consul 190 BC, who was victor of the Battle of Magnesia ....
, is first mentioned in 100 BC, when he took up arms with the other members of the senate against Saturninus (Cic. pro Rabir. Perd. 7). In the Social War he was stationed with L. Acilius in the town of Aesernia, from which they escaped on the approach of Vettius Scato in the dress of slaves. He belonged to the Marian party in the civil wars, and was appointed consul in 83 BC with C. Norbanus
Gaius Norbanus
Gaius Norbanus surnamed Bulbus was a Roman politician.In 103 BC, when tribune of the people, he accused Quintus Servilius Caepio the Elder of having brought about the defeat of his army by the Cimbri through rashness, and also of having plundered the temple of Tolosa...
. In this year Sulla returned to Italy, and advanced against the consuls. He defeated Norbanus in Italy, but seduced the troops of Scipio to desert their general.
He was taken prisoner in his camp along with his son Lucius, but was dismissed by Sulla uninjured. He was, however, included in the proscription in the following year, 82 BC, whereupon he fled to Massilia, and passed there the remainder of his life. His daughter was married to P. Sestius. Cicero speaks favourably of the oratorical powers of this Scipio.
See also
- Scipio-Paullus-Gracchus family treeScipio-Paullus-Gracchus family treeThe Scipio-Paullus-Gracchus family tree includes the Roman Scipio, Paullus and Gracchus families.See also: List of family trees...