ger.

Nearly all Roman writers unite in attacking the reputation of the
Gracchi; but viewed in the light of to-day their characters were noble,
and their virtues too conspicuous to be obscured.

A few years previous to this, the younger Africanus died (129). His
remark about the death of Tiberius Gracchus gave dire offence to the
popular party, and a few days later he was found dead in his bed,
probably "a victim of political assassination."

Africanus was a man of refinement and culture, a warm friend of
scholars, a patron of the Greek historian POLYBIUS, and of the poets
LUCILIUS and TERENCE. He was opposed to the tendency of his age towards
luxury and extravagance. He was an orator, as well as a general. The
one blot on his career is the terrible destruction of Carthage, which he
possibly might have averted had he shown firm opposition to it.

SCIPIO NASICA, who led the mob against Tiberius, was compelled, though
Pontifex Maximus, to leave the city, and died an exile in Asia.

CHAPTER XXII. EXTERNAL HISTORY.--PERGAMUM.--JUGURTHINE WAR (118-104).

Pergamum was an ancient city of Mysia on the Caicus, fifteen miles from
the sea. It first became important after the death of Alexander. Its
first king, Attalus I. (241-197), added a large territory to the city.
He was an ally of the Romans, and his successors remained their firm
friends. The city became one of the most prosperous and famous in Asia
Minor, noted for its architectural monuments, its fine library, and
its schools. Attalus III., at his death in 133, bequeathed to Rome his
kingdom, which included Lydia, Pisidia, Lycaonia, and Pamphylia. It was
made a province under the name of ASIA.

THE WAR WITH JUGURTHA.

After the destruction of Carthage, the most important kingdom in Africa
was NUMIDIA. It contained a number of flourishing towns, which were
centres of a considerable commerce. Masinissa left this kingdom to his
son Micipsa. The latter had two sons and a nephew, JUGURTHA. The nephew
was a brilliant young man, who had served under Scipio in the Numantine
war, and returned to Africa covered with honors. He was named joint heir
with his cousins to the kingdom of Numidia. Micipsa dying soon after,
Jugurtha murdered one of his cousins, Hiempsal, claimed the whole
kingdom, and attacked his other cousin, Adherbal, who appealed to
Rome. Commissioners were sent to investigate. They were bought off by
Jugurtha, and returned home without accomplishing any