Aemilianus. Speaking of him
he quoted a famous line of Homer: 'He is a real man: the rest are
shadows.' In a very profound sense this was true. The mind of Scipio
Aemilianus saw below the surface of things to the reality. He could act,
but like all really first-rate men of action--Napoleon, Hannibal,
Caesar--he was a thinker. Round his table there gathered the most
interesting men in Rome. They talked of all the questions that have
puzzled and perplexed men's minds since men began to think at all.
Closest of his friends was Polybius, the great Greek historian who wrote
the history of the wars with Carthage. He lived in his house and
accompanied him in his wars in Spain and Africa. Polybius stood by
Scipio's side as he watched Carthage burning to the ground (146). Orders
had come from Rome that the city was to be utterly destroyed;
a ploughshare was to be drawn across the site and a solemn curse laid on
any one who should ever rebuild there. 'It is a wonderful sight,' said
Aemilianus as they watched walls toppling and buildings collapsing in
the flames which rose up, a huge cloud of ruddy smoke darkening and
thickening the noonday sky of Africa, 'but I shudder to think that some
one may some day give the same order--for Rome.'

The following sketch of his character by Polybius shows some of his
distinguishing traits:

_Scipio Aemilianus as a Sportsman_

After the war was decided, Paulus, in the belief that hunting was
the best training and recreation that a young man could have, put
the king's huntsmen at the orders of Scipio, and gave him full
authority over everything connected with the chase. Scipio readily
accepted the charge and, regarding it almost as a royal office,
continued to occupy himself with it as long as the army remained
in Macedonia after the battle. His youth and natural disposition
qualified him for this pursuit, like a high-bred hound, and his
devotion to hunting became permanent, being continued when he came
to Rome and found Polybius as enthusiastic as himself.
Consequently, all the time that other young men spent in the
law-courts and with morning calls, waiting about in the Forum and
trying thus to make a favourable impression on the people, was
passed by Scipio in hunting; and as he was constantly performing
brilliant and notable exploits, he distinguished himself more than
all the rest. For they could not win credit except by injuring
others; such are t