45.14
In
reply the prince was told that Masinissa had acted as became an honourable
and grateful man in enhancing the value and dignity of benefits which were
justly due to him. The people of Rome had received from him loyal and
powerful assistance in the Punic War, and it was through their good offices
that he had gained his crown. In this equal interchange of benefits he had
subsequently rendered every possible assistance in the successive wars
against three kings. It was not surprising that the victory of Rome should
give the king pleasure, seeing how he had associated his own fortunes and
those of his kingdom with the cause of Rome. Let him offer his
thanksgivings for the victory to the gods at home; his son would do this for
him in Rome. He had done quite enough in offering congratulations in his
own and his father's name. The senate did not think it would be to the
interest of Rome for him to leave his kingdom and come away from Africa,
especially as he would gain no advantage by it. The quaestor received
instructions to spend 100 pounds of silver in presents for the prince, to
escort him to Puteoli and defray all his expenses as long as he was in Italy,
and also to hire two vessels in which he and his suite were to be conveyed to
Africa. Presents of apparel were made to all his attendants, including the
slaves. Not long after a communication was received from Misagenes, the
second son of Masinissa, stating that after Perseus' defeat he had been sent
by L. Paulus with his cavalry back to Africa, that the fleet had been scattered
during the voyage in the Hadriatic, and that he had been carried down to
Brundisium and was ill. L. Stertinius was sent to Brundisium with presents
of equal value to those given to his brother in Rome, and was instructed to
place a house at his disposal.
. . . .