30.17
Several days previously Laelius arrived in
Rome with Syphax and the Numidian prisoners. He made a report to the
senate of all that had been done in Africa and there were great rejoicings at
the present position of affairs and sanguine hopes for the future. After
discussing the matter the senate decided that Syphax should be interned at
Alba and that Laelius should stay in Rome until the Carthaginian delegates
arrived. A four days' thanksgiving was ordered. On the adjournment of the
House, P. Aelius, the praetor, forthwith convened a meeting of the
Assembly, and mounted the rostrum, accompanied by C. Laelius. When the
people heard that the armies of Carthage had been routed, a far-famed king
defeated and made prisoner, and a victorious progress made throughout
Numidia, they could no longer restrain their feelings and expressed their
unbounded joy in shouts and other demonstrations of delight. Seeing the
people in this mood the praetor at once gave orders for the sacristans to
throw open the holy places throughout the City in order that the people
might have the whole day for going round the shrines to offer up their
adoration and thanksgivings to the gods.
The next day he introduced Masinissa's envoys to the senate. They
first of all congratulated the senate upon Scipio's successes in Africa and
then expressed thanks on behalf of Masinissa for Scipio's action in not only
conferring upon him the title of king, but also in giving practical effect to it
by restoring to him his ancestral dominion where now that Syphax was
disposed of he would, if the senate so decided, reign free from all fear of
opposition. He was grateful for the way in which Scipio had spoken of him
before his officers and for the splendid insignia with which he had been
honoured and which he had done his best to prove himself worthy of and
would continue to do so. They petitioned the senate to confirm by a formal
decree the royal title and the other favours and dignities which Scipio had
conferred upon him. And as an additional boon, Masinissa begged, if he was
not asking too much, that they would release the Numidian prisoners who
were under guard in Rome; that, he considered, would increase his prestige
with his subjects. The reply given to the envoys was to the effect that the
senate congratulated the king as much as themselves upon the successes in
Africa; Scipio had acted rightly and in perfect order in recognising Masinissa
as king, and the senators warmly approved of all he had done to meet
Masinissa's wishes. They passed a decree that the presents which the envoys
were to take to the king should comprise two purple cloaks with a golden
clasp on each and two tunics embroidered with the laticlave; two richly
caparisoned horses and a set of equestrian armour with cuirasses for each;
two tents and military furniture such as the consuls are usually provided
with. The praetor received instructions to see that these things were sent to
the king. The envoys each received presents to the value of 5000 ases, and
each member of their suite to the value of 1000 ases. Besides these, two
suits of apparel were given to each of the envoys, and one to each of their
suite and also to each of the Numidian prisoners who were to be restored to
the king. During their stay in Rome a house was placed at their disposal and
they were treated as guests of the State.
