Delphi Complete Works of Cornelius Nepos

by Cornelius Nepos

  13. Sic vir fortissimus, multis variisque perfunctus laboribus, anno acquievit septuagesimo. quibus consulibus interierit, non convenit. namque Atticus M. Claudio Marcello Q. Fabio Labeone consulibus mortuum in annali suo scriptum reliquit, at Polybius L. Aemilio Paulo Cn. Baebio Tamphilo, Sulpicius autem Blitho P. Cornelio Cethego M. Baebio Tamphilo. [2] atque hic tantus vir tantisque bellis districtus nonnihil temporis tribuit litteris. namque aliquot eius libri sunt, Graeco sermone confecti, in eis ad Rhodios de Cn. Manlii Volsonis in Asia rebus gestis. [3] huius belli gesta multi memoriae prodiderunt, sed ex eis duo, qui cum eo in castris fuerunt simulque vixerunt, quamdiu fortuna passa est, Silenus et Sosylus Lacedaemonius. atque hoc Sosylo Hannibal litterarum Graecarum usus est doctore. [4]

  Sed nos tempus est huius libri facere finem et Romanorum explicare imperatores, quo facilius collatis utrorumque factis, qui viri praeferendi sint, possit iudicari.

  XIII. Thus this bravest of men, after having gone through many and various labours, found repose in the seventieth year of his age. Under what consuls he died, is not agreed; for Atticus has left it recorded in his chronicle that he ended his life in the consulship of Marcus Claudius Marcellus and Quintus Fabius Labeo; but Polybius says in that of Lucius Aemilius Paullus and Cnaeus Baebius Tamphilus; and Sulpicius in that of Publius Cornelius Cethegus and Marcus Baebius Tamphilus.

  This great man, though occupied in such vast military operations, devoted some portion of his time to literature; for there are some books of his written in the Greek language, and amongst them one addressed to the Rhodians on the acts of Cnaeus Manlius Vulso in Asia.

  Of the wars which he conducted many have given the history; and two of them were persons that were with him in the camp, and lived with him as long as fortune allowed, Silenus and Sosilus the Lacedaemonian; and this Sosilus Hannibal had as his instructor in the Greek language. But it is now time to make an end of this book, and to give an account of commanders among the Romans, that, when the actions of both are compared, it may be the better determined which generals deserve the preference.

  XXIV. MARCUS PORCIUS CATO.

  FROM THE SECOND BOOK OF CORNELIUS NEPOS.

  Cato’s birth, youth, and the offices that he held, I. His consulship in Hither Spain; his severity as censor, II. His eulogy; his studies and writings, III.

  1. M. Cato, ortus municipio Tusculo, adulescentulus, priusquam honoribus operam daret, versatus est in Sabinis, quod ibi heredium a patre relictum habebat. inde hortatu L. Valerii Flacci, quem in consulatu censuraque habuit collegam, ut M. Perpenna censorius narrare solitus est, Romam demigravit in foroque esse coepit. [2] primum stipendium meruit annorum decem septemque. Q. Fabio M. Claudio consulibus tribunus militum in Sicilia fuit. inde ut rediit, castra secutus est C. Claudii Neronis, magnique opera eius existimata est in proelio apud Senam, quo cecidit Hasdrubal, frater Hannibaris. [3] quaestor obtigit P. Africano consuli, cum quo non pro sortis necessitudine vixit: namque ab eo perpetua dissensit vita. aedilis plebei factus est cum C. Helvio. [4] praetor provinciam obtinuit Sardiniam, ex qua quaestor superiore tempore ex Africa decedens Q. Ennium poetam deduxerat, quod non minoris aestimamus quam quemlibet amplissimum Sardiniensem triumphum.

  I. CATO, born in the municipal town of Tusculum, resided, when a very young man, and before he turned his attention to the attainment of office, in the territory of the Sabines, because he had an estate there which had been left him by his father. It was at the persuasion of Lucius Valerius Flaccus, whom he had for a colleague in his consulate and censorship, that he removed, as Marcus Perperna Censorius was accustomed to relate, to Rome, and proceeded to employ himself in the forum. He served his first campaign at the age of seventeen, in the consulship of Quintus Fabius Maximus and Marcus Claudius Marcellus. He was military tribune in Sicily. When he returned from thence, he attached himself to the staff of Caius Claudius Nero, and his service was thought of great value in the battle near Sena, in which Hasdrubal, the brother of Hannibal, fell. As quaestor, he happened to be under the consul, Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus, with whom he did not live according to the intimate connexion of his office; for he was at variance with him during his whole life. He was made aedile of the commons with Caius Helvius. As praetor he had the province of Sardinia, from which, when he was returning from Africa some time before in the character of quaestor, he had brought Quintus Ennius, the poet, an act which we value not less than the noblest triumph that Sardinia could have afforded.

  2. Consulatum gessit cum L. Valerio Flacco. sorte provinciam nactus Hispaniam citeriorem ex ea triumphum deportavit. [2] ibi cum diutius moraretur, P. Scipio Africanus consul iterum, cuius in priore consulatu quaestor fuerat, voluit eum de provincia depellere et ipse ei succedere, neque hoc per senatum efficere potuit, cum quidem Scipio principatum in civitate obtineret, quod tum non potentia, sed iure res publica administrabatur. qua ex re iratus senatui consulatu peractoc privatus in urbe mansit. [3] at Cato, censor cum eodem Flacco factus, severe praefuit ei potestati. nam et in complures nobiles animadvertit et multas res novas in edictum addidit, qua re luxuria reprimeretur, quae iam tum incipiebat pullulare. [4] circiter annos octoginta, usque ad extremam aetatem ab adulescentia, rei publicae causa suscipere inimicitias non destitit. a multis tentatus non modo nullum detrimentum existimationis fecit, sed, quoad vixit, virtutum laude crevit.

  II. He held the consulship with Lucius Valerius Flaccus, and had by lot Hither Spain for his province, from which he gained a triumph. As he stayed there a long time, Publius Scipio Africanus, when consul for the second time, wanted to remove him from his province, and to succeed him himself, but was unable, through the senate, to effect that object, even though he then possessed the greatest authority in the state; for the government was then conducted, not with regard for personal influence, but according to justice. Being displeased with the senate on this account, Scipio, after his consulship was ended, remained in the city as a private person.

  Cato, being made censor with the Flaccus above mentioned, exercised that office with severity; for he inflicted penalties on many noblemen, and introduced many new regulations into his edict, by means of which luxury, which was even then beginning to germinate, might be repressed. For about eighty years, from his youth to the end of his life, he never ceased to incur enmity in behalf of the commonwealth. Though attacked by many, he not only suffered no loss of character, but increased in reputation for virtue as long as he lived.

  3. In omnibus rebus singulari fuit industria: nam et agricola sollers et peritus iuris consultus et magnus imperator et probabilis orator et cupidissimus litterarum fuit. [2] quarum studium etsi senior arripuerat, tamen tantum progressum fecit, ut non facile repeirri possit neque de Graecis neque de Italicis rebus, quod ei fuerit incognitum. ab adulescentia confecit orationes. [3] senex historias scribere instituit. earum sunt libri septem. primus continet res gestas regum populi Romani, secundus et tertius unde quaeque civitas orta sit Italica, ob quam rem omnes Origines videtur appellasse. in quarto autem bellum Poenicum est primum, in quinto secundum. [4] atque haec omnia capitulatim sunt dicta. reliqua quoque bella pari modo persecutus est usque ad praeturam Ser. Galbae, qui diripuit Lusitanos: atque horum bellorum duces non nominavit, sed sine nominibus res notavit. in eisdem exposuit, quae in Italia Hispaniisque aut fierent aut viderentur admiranda: in quibus multa industria et diligentia comparet, nulla doctrina.

  Huius de vita et moribus plura in eo libro persecuti sumus, quem separatim de eo fecimus rogatu T. Pomponii Attici. quare studiosos Catonis ad illud volumen delegamus.

  III. In all his pursuits he gave proofs of singular intelligence and industry; for he was a skilful agriculturist, well-informed in political affairs, experienced in the law, an eminent, commander, a respectable orator. He was also much devoted to literature, and though he had entered on the study of it at an advanced age, yet he made such progress in it, that you could not easily discover anything, either in Grecian or Italian history, that was unknown to him. From his youth he composed speeches. In his old age he be
gan to write his Histories, of which there are ten books. The first contains the acts of the kings of Rome; the second and third show from whence each Italian state had its rise, for which reason he seems to have called the whole body of them Origines; in the fourth is related the first Carthaginian war; in the fifth the second; and all these subjects are treated in a summary way. Other wars he has narrated in a similar manner, down to the praetorship of Lucius Galba, who spoiled the Lusitanians. The leaders in these wars, however, he has not named, but has stated the facts without the names. In the same books he has given an account of whatever seemed remarkable in Italy and Spain; and there are shown in them much labour and industry, and much learning.

  Of his life and manners we have spoken more at large in the book which we wrote expressly concerning him at the request of Titus Pomponius Atticus; and we therefore refer those who would know Cato to that volume.

  XXV. TITUS POMPONIUS ATTICUS.

  Birth, talents, and education of Atticus, I. He goes to Athens; assists the Athenians with money; his popularity there, II. III. Is favourably regarded by Sulla; returns to Rome, IV. Inherits property from Quintus Caecilius; his friendship with Cicero and Hortensius, V. He abstains from, seeking offices or honours, but maintains his dignity of character, VI. In the civil war he offends neither Pompey nor Caesar, VII. After Caesar is killed, he supplies Brutus with money, VIII. Is not even an enemy to Antony, whose wife and children he relieves, IX. Antony’s regard for the services of Atticus, X. He aids many of the proscribed, XI. He uses his interest only to avert dangers and troubles from his friends, XII. -Of his private life; is a good father and citizen, XIII. His meals; his prudence in pecuniary matters, XIV. His love of truth and diligence, XV. Agreeable to the old in his youth, and to the young in his old age, XVI. His dutifulness to his mother, XVII. His love of antiquity, and literature in general, XVIII. His connexion with Caesar Octavianus, XIX. His friendship with Caesar and Antony, XX. His last illness, XXI. He starves himself to death; his funeral, XXII.

  1. T. Pomponius Atticus, ab origine ultima stirpis Romanae generatus, perpetuo a maioribus acceptam equestrem obtinuit dignitatem. [2] patre usus est diligente et, ut tum erant tempora, diti inprimisque studioso litterarum. hic, prout ipse amabat litteras, omnibus doctrinis, quibus puerilis aetas impertiri debet, filium erudivit. [3] erat autem in puero praeter docilitatem ingenii summa suavitas oris atque vocis, ut non solum celeriter acciperet quae tradebantur, sed etiam excellenter pronuntiaret. qua ex re in pueritia nobilis inter aequales ferebatur clariusque exsplendescebat, quam generosi condiscipuli animo aequo ferre possent. [4] itaque incitabat omnes studio suo, quo in numero fuerunt L. Torquatus, C. Marius filius, M. Cicero: quos consuetudine sua sic devinxit, ut nemo iis perpetua vita fuerit carior.

  I. TITUS POMPONIUS ATTICUS, descended from a most ancient Roman family, held the equestrian rank received in uninterrupted succession from his ancestors. He had a father who was active, indulgent, and, as times then were, wealthy, as well as eminently devoted to literature; and, as he loved learning himself, he instructed his son in all branches of knowledge with which youth ought to be made acquainted. In the boy, too, besides docility of disposition, there was great sweetness of voice, so that he not only imbibed rapidly what was taught him, but repeated it extremely well. He was in consequence distinguished among his companions in his boyhood, and shone forth with more lustre than his noble fellow-students could patiently bear; hence he stirred them all to new exertions by his application. In the number of them were Lucius Torquatus, Caius Marius the younger, and Marcus Cicero, whom he so attached to himself by his intercourse with them, that no one was ever more dear to them.

  2. Pater mature decessit. ipse adulescentulus propter affinitatem P. Sulpicii, qui tribunus plebei interfectus est, non expers fuit illius periculi: namque Anicia, Pomponii consobrina, nupserat Servio, fratri Sulpicii. [2] itaque interfecto Sulpicio posteaquam vidit Cinnano tumultu civitatem esse perturbatam neque sibi dari facultatem pro dignitate vivendi, quin alterutram partem offenderet, dissociatis animis civium, cum alii Sullanis, alii Cinnanis faverent partibus, idoneum tempus ratus studiis obsequendi suis Athenas se contulit. neque eo setius adulescentem Marium hostem iudicatum iuvit opibus suis, cuius fugam pecunia sublevavit. [3] ac ne illa peregrinatio detrimentum aliquod afferret rei familiari, eodem magnam partem fortunarum traiecit suarum. hic ita vixit, ut universis Atheniensibus merito esset carissimus. [4] nam praeter gratiam, quae iam in adulescentulo magna erat, saepe suis opibus inopiam eorum publicam levavit. cum enim versuram facere publice necesse esset neque eius condicionem aequam haberent, semper se interposuit, atque ita ut neque usuram umquam ab iis acceperit neque longius, quam dictum esset, debere passus sit. quod utrumque erat iis salutare: [5] nam neque indulgendo inveterascere eorum aes alienum patiebatur neque multiplicandis usuris crescere. [6] auxit hoc officium alia quoque liberalitate: nam universos frumento donavit, ita ut singulis seni modii tritici darentur, qui modus mensurae medimnus Athenis appellatur.

  II. His father died at an early age. He himself, in his youth, on account of his connexion with Publius Sulpicius, who was killed when tribune of the people, was not unapprehensive of sharing in his danger; for Anicia, Pomponius’s cousin, was married to Marcus Servius, the brother of Sulpicius. When he saw that the state, therefore, after the death of Sulpicius, was thrown into confusion by the disturbances of Cinna, and that no facility was allowed him of living suitably to his dignity without offending one side or the other (the feelings of the citizens being divided, as some favoured the party of Sulla and others that of Cinna) he thought it a proper time for devoting himself to his studies, and betook himself to Athens. He nevertheless, however, assisted young Marius, when declared an enemy, by such means as he could, and relieved him in his exile with money. And, lest his sojourn in a foreign country should cause any detriment to his estate, he transported thither a great portion of his fortune. Here he lived in such a manner, that he was deservedly much beloved by all the Athenians; for, in addition to his interest, which was great for so young a man, he relieved their public exigencies from his own property; since, when the government was obliged to borrow money, and had no fair offer of it, he always came to their aid, and in such a way, that he never received any interest of them, and never allowed them to be indebted to him longer than had been agreed upon; both which modes of acting were for their advantage, for he neither suffered their debt to grow old upon them, nor to be increased by an accumulation of interest. He enhanced this kindness also by other instances of liberality; for he presented the whole of the people with such a supply of corn, that seven modii of wheat (a kind of measure which is called a medimnus at Athens) were allotted to each person.

  3. Hic autem sic se gerebat, ut communis infimis, par principibus videretur. quo factum est ut huic omnes honores, quos possent, publice haberent civemque facere studerent: quo beneficio ille uti noluit quod nonnulli ita interpretantur, amitti civitatem Romanam alia ascita. [2] quamdiu affuit, ne qua sibi statua poneretur, restitit, absens prohibere non potuit. itaque aliquot ipsi et Phidiae locis sanctissimis posuerunt: hunc enim in omni procuratione rei publicae actorem auctoremque habebant potissimum. [3] igitur primum illud munus fortunae, quod in ea urbe natus est, in qua domicilium orbis terrarum esset imperii, ut eandem et patriam haberet et domum; hoc specimen prudentiae, quod, cum in eam se civitatem contulisset, quae antiquitate, humanitate doctrinaque praestaret omnes, unus ei fuit carissimus.

  III. He also conducted himself in such a way, that he appeared familiar with the lowest, though on a level with the highest. Hence it happened that they publicly bestowed upon him all the honours that they could, and offered to make him a citizen of Athens; an offer which he would not accept, because some are of opinion that the citizenship of Rome is forfeited by taking that of another city. As long as he was among them, he prevented any statue from being erected to him; but when absent, he could not hinder it; and they accordingly raised several statues both to him and Phidias, in the most sacred places, for, in th
eir whole management of the state, they took him for their agent and adviser. It was the gift of fortune, then, in the first place, that he was born in that city, above all others, in which was the seat of the empire of the world, and had it not only for his native place but for his home; and, in the next, it was a proof of his wisdom, that when he betook himself to a city which excelled all others in antiquity, politeness, and learning, he became individually dear to it beyond other men.

  4. Huc ex Asia Sulla decedens cum venisset, quamdiu ibi fuit, secum habuit Pomponium, captus adulescentis et humanitate et doctrina. sic enim Graece loquebatur, ut Athenis natus videretur; tanta autem suavitas erat sermonis Latini, ut appareret in eo nativum quendam leporem esse, non ascitum. idem poemata pronuntiabat et Graece et Latine sic, ut supra nihil posset addi. [2] quibus rebus factum est ut Sulla nusquam eum ab se dimitteret cuperetque secum deducere. cui cum persuadere tentaret, ‘noli, oro te,’ inquit Pomponius ‘adversum eos me velle ducere, cum quibus ne contra te arma ferrem, Italiam reliqui. ‘ at Sulla adulescentis officio collaudato omnia munera ei, quae Athenis acceperat, proficiscens iussit deferri. [3]