that stood in need of comfort from others； but one that undertook to
support his fellow…citizens in their grief for the sufferings he
himself underwent。
〃I；〃 he said； 〃who never yet feared anything that was human； have；
amongst such as were divine； always had a dread of Fortune as
faithless and inconstant； and； for the very reason that in this war
she had been as a favourable gale in all my affairs； I still
expected some change and reflux of things。 In one day I passed the
Ionian sea； and reached Corcyra from Brundisium； thence in five more I
sacrificed at Delphi； and in other five days came to my forces in
Macedonia； where； after I had finished the usual sacrifices for the
purifying of the army； I entered on my duties； and； in space of
fifteen days； put an honourable period to the war。 Still retaining a
jealousy of Fortune； even from the smooth current of my affairs； and
seeing myself secure and free from the danger of any enemy； I
chiefly dreaded the change of the goddess at sea； whilst conveying
home my victorious army； vast spoils； and a captive king。 Nay； indeed；
after I was returned to you safe； and saw the city full of joy；
congratulating； and sacrifices； yet still I distrusted； well knowing
that Fortune never conferred any great benefits that were unmixed
and unattended with probabilities of reverse。 Nor could my mind；
that was still as it were in labour； and always foreseeing something
to befall this city； free itself from this fear； until this great
misfortune befell me in my own family； and till； in the midst of those
days set apart for triumph； I carried two of the best sons； my only
destined successors； one after another to their funerals。 Now；
therefore； I am myself safe from danger； at least as to what was my
greatest care； and I trust and am verily persuaded that for the time
to come Fortune will prove constant and harmless unto you； since she
has sufficiently wreaked her jealousy at our great success on me and
mine； and has made the conqueror as marked an example of human
instability as the captive whom he led in triumph； with this only
difference； that Perseus； though conquered； does yet enjoy his
children； while the conqueror； Aemilius； is deprived of his。〃 This was
the generous and magnanimous oration Aemilius is said to have spoken
to the people； from a heart truly sincere and free from all artifice。
Although he very much pitied the condition of Perseus； and studied
to befriend him in what he was able； yet he could procure no other
favour than his removal from the common prison； the Carcer； into a
more cleanly and humane place of security； where； whilst he was
guarded； it is said； he starved himself to death。 Others state his
death to be of the strangest and most unusual character： that the
soldiers who were his guard； having conceived a spite and hatred
against him for some reason； and finding no other way to grieve and
afflict him； kept him from sleep； took pains to disturb him when he
was disposed to rest； and found out contrivances to keep him
continually awake； by which means at length he was utterly worn out；
and expired。 Two of his children； also； died soon after him； the
third； who was named Alexander； they say proved an exquisite artist in
turning and graving small figures； and learned so perfectly to speak
and write the Roman language； that he became clerk to the magistrates；
and behaved himself in his office with great skill and conduct。
They ascribed to Aemilius's conquest of Macedonia this most
acceptable benefit to the people； that he brought so vast a quantity
of money into the public treasury； that they never paid any taxes；
until Hirtius and Pansa were consuls； which was in the first war
between Antony and Caesar。 This also was peculiar and remarkable in
Aemilius； that though he was extremely beloved and honoured by the
people； yet he always sided with the nobles； nor would he either say
or do anything to ingratiate himself with the multitude； but
constantly adhered to the nobility； in all political matters； which in
aftertimes was cast in Scipio Africanus's teeth by Appius； these two
being in their time the most considerable men in the city； and
standing in competition for the office of censor。 The one had on his
side the nobles and the senate； to which party the Appii were always
attached； the other； although his own interest was great； yet made use
of the favour and love of the people。 When； therefore； Appius saw
Scipio come to the market…place； surrounded with men of mean rank； and
such as were but newly made free； yet were very fit to manage a
debate； to gather together the rabble； and to carry whatsoever they
designed by importunity and noise； crying out with a loud voice：
〃Groan now；〃 said he； 〃O Aemilius Paulus； if you have knowledge in
your grave of what is done above； that your son aspires to be
censor； by the help of Aemilius； the common crier； and Licinius
Philonicus。〃 Scipio always had the goodwill of the people； because
he was constantly heaping favours on them； but Aemilius； although he
still took part with the nobles； yet was as much the people's
favourite as those who most sought popularity and used every art to
obtain it。 This they made manifest； when； amongst other dignities；
they thought him worthy of the office of censor； a trust accounted
most sacred and of great authority； as well in other things； as in the
strict examination into men's lives。 For the censors had power to
expel a senator； and enrol whom they judged most fit in his room；
and to disgrace such young men as lived licentiously； by taking away
their horses。 Besides this； they were to value and assess each man's
estate； and register the number of the people。 There were numbered
by Aemilius 347；452 men。 He declared Marcus Aemilius Lepidus first
senator； who had already four times held that honour； and he removed
from their office three of the senators of the least note。 The same
moderation he and his fellow…censor； Marcius Philippus； used at the
muster of the knights。
Whilst he was thus busy about many and weighty affairs he fell
sick of a disease； which at first seemed hazardous； and although after
a while it proved without danger； yet was troublesome and difficult to
be cured： so that by the advice of his physicians he sailed to
Velia； in south Italy； and there dwelt a long time near the sea； where
he enjoyed all possible quietness。 The Romans； in the meanwhile；
longed for his return； and oftentimes by their expressions in the
theatres gave public testimony of their great desire and impatience to
see him。 When； therefore； the time drew nigh that a solemn sacrifice
was of necessity to be offered； and he found； as he thought； his
body strong enough； he came back again to Rome； and there performed
the holy rites with the rest of the priests； the people in the
meantime crowding about him and congratulating his return。 The next
day he sacrificed again to the gods for his recovery； and； having
finished the sacrifice； returned to his house and sat down to
dinner； when； all on a sudden and when no change was expected； he fell
into a fit of delirium； and； being quite deprived of his senses； the
third day after ended a life in which he had wanted no manner of thing
which is thought to conduct to happiness。 Nay； his very funeral pomp
had something in it remarkable and to be admired； and his virtue was
graced with the most solemn and happy rites at his burial； consisting；
not in gold and ivory； or in the usual sumptuousness and splendour
of such preparations； but in the goodwill； honour； and love； not
only of his fellow…citizens； but of his enemies themselves。 For as
many Spaniards； Ligurians； and Macedonians as happened to be present
at the solemnity； that were young and of vigorous bodies； took up
the bier and carried it； whilst the more aged followed； called
Aemilius the benefactor and preserver of their countries。 For not only
at the time of his conquest had he acted to all with kindness and
clemency； but； through the whole course of his life； he continued to
do them good and look after their concerns； as if they had been his
familiars and relations。 They report that the whole of his estate
scarce amounted to three hundred and seventy thousand drachmas； to
which he left his two sons co…heirs； but Scipio； who was the youngest；
being adopted into the more wealthy family of Africanus； gave it all
to his brother。 Such are said to have been the life and manners of
Aemilius。
THE END