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Scipio and Marcus Cato； were at variance。 Titus named Scipio first
member of the senate； and involved himself in a quarrel with Cato；
on the following unhappy occasion。 Titus had a brother； Lucius
Flamininus； very unlike him in all points of character； and； in
particular； low and dissolute in his pleasures； and flagrantly
regardless of all decency。 He kept as a companion a boy whom he used
to carry about with him； not only when he had troops under his charge；
but even when the care of a province was committed to him。 One day
at a drinking…bout； when the youngster was wantoning with Lucius； 〃I
love you； sir； so dearly；〃 said he； 〃that preferring your satisfaction
to my own； I came away without seeing the gladiators； though I have
never seen a man killed in my life。〃 Lucius； delighted with what the
boy said； answered； 〃Let not that trouble you； I can satisfy that
longing；〃 and with that orders a condemned man to be fetched out of
the prison； and the executioner to be sent for； and commands him to
strike off the man's head； before they rose from table。 Valerius
Antias only so far varies the story as to make it a woman for whom
he did it。 But Livy says that in Cato's own speech the statement is
that a Gaulish deserter coming with his wife and children to the door；
Lucius took him into the banqueting…room； and killed him with his
own hand； to gratify his paramour。 Cato； it is probable； might say
this by way of aggravation of the crime； but that the slain was no
such fugitive； but a prisoner； and one condemned to die； not to
mention other authorities； Cicero tells us in his treatise on Old Age；
where he brings in Cato； himself； giving that account of the matter。
However； this is certain； Cato； during his censorship； made a severe
scrutiny into the senators' lives in order to the purging and
reforming the house； and expelled Lucius； though he had been once
consul before； and though the punishment seemed to reflect dishonour
on his brother also。 Both of them presented themselves to the assembly
of the people in a suppliant manner； not without tears in their
eyes； requesting that Cato might show the reason and cause of his
fixing such a stain upon so honourable a family。 The citizens
thought it a modest and moderate request。 Cato； however； without any
retraction or reserve； at once came forward； and standing up with
his colleague interrogated Titus as to whether he knew the story of
the supper。 Titus answered in the negative； Cato related it； and
challenged Lucius to a formal denial of it。 Lucius made no reply；
whereupon the people adjudged the disgrace just and suitable； and
waited upon Cato home from the tribunal in great state。 But Titus
still so deeply resented his brother's degradation； that he allied
himself with those who had long borne a grudge against Cato； and
winning over a major part of the senate； he revoked and made void
all the contracts； leases； and bargains made by Cato； relating to
public revenues； and also got numerous actions and accusations brought
against him； carrying on against a lawful magistrate and excellent
citizens； for the sake of one who was indeed his relation； but was
unworthy to be so； and had but gotten his deserts； a course of
bitter and violent attacks； which it would be hard to say were
either right or patriotic。 Afterwards； however； at a public
spectacle in the theatre； at which the senators appeared as usual；
sitting； as became their rank； in the first seats； when Lucius was
spied at the lower end； seated in a mean； dishonourable place； it made
a great impression upon the people； nor could they endure the sight；
but kept calling out to him to move； until he did move； and went in
among those of consular dignity； who received him into their seats。
This natural ambition of Titus was well enough looked upon by the
world whilst the wars we have given a relation of afforded competent
fuel to feed it； as； for instance； when after the expiration of his
consulship； he had a command as military tribune； which nobody pressed
upon him。 But being now out of all employ in the government； and
advanced in years； he showed his defects more plainly； allowing
himself； in this inactive remainder of life； to be carried away with
the passion for reputation； as uncontrollably as any youth。 Some
such transport； it is thought； betrayed him into a proceeding
against Hannibal； which lost him the regard of many。 For Hannibal；
having fled his country； first took sanctuary with Antiochus； but
he； having been glad to obtain a peace； after the battle in Phrygia；
Hannibal was put to shift for himself； by a second flight； and；
after wandering through many countries； fixed at length in Bithynia；
proffering his service to King Prusias。 Every one at Rome knew where
he was； but looked upon him； now in his weakness and old age； with
no sort of apprehension； as one whom fortune had quite cast off。
Titus； however； coming thither as ambassador； though he was sent
from the senate to Prusias upon another errand； yet seeing Hannibal
resident there； it stirred up resentment in him to find that he was
yet alive。 And though Prusias used much intercession and entreaties in
favour of him； as his suppliant and familiar friend； Titus was not
to be entreated。 There was an ancient oracle； it seems； which
prophesied thus of Hannibal's end：…
〃Libyssan earth shall Hannibal inclose。〃
He interpreted this to be meant of the African Libya； and that he
should be buried in Carthage； as if he might yet expect to return
and end his life there。 But there is a sandy place in Bithynia；
bordering on the sea； and near it a little village called Libyssa。
It was Hannibal's chance to be staying here； and； having ever from the
beginning had a distrust of the easiness and cowardice of Prusias； and
a fear of the Romans； he had； long before； ordered seven underground
passages to be dug from his house； leading from his lodging and
running a considerable distance in various opposite directions； all
undiscernible from without。 As soon； therefore； as he heard what Titus
had ordered； he attempted to make his escape through these mines；
but finding them beset with the king's guards； he resolved upon making
away with himself。 Some say that； wrapping his upper garment about his
neck； he commanded his servant to set his knee against his back； and
not to cease twisting and pulling it till he had completely
strangled him。 Others say he drank bull's blood； after the example
of Themistocles and Midas。 Livy writes that he had poison in
readiness； which he mixed for the purpose； and that； taking the cup in
his hand； 〃Let us ease；〃 said he； 〃the Romans of their continual dread
and care； who think it long and tedious to await the death of a
hated old man。 Yet Titus will not bear away a glorious victory； nor
one worthy of those ancestors who sent to caution Pyrrhus； an enemy；
and a conqueror too； against the poison prepared for him by traitors。〃
Thus various are the reports of Hannibal's death； but when the
news of it came to the senator's ears； some felt indignation against
Titus for it； blaming as well his officiousness as his cruelty； who
when there was nothing to urg