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Titus for it； blaming as well his officiousness as his cruelty； who
when there was nothing to urge it； out of mere appetite for
distinction to have it said that he had caused Hannibal's death；
sent him to his grave when he was now like a bird that in its old
age has lost its feathers； and incapable of flying； is let alone to
live tamely without molestation。
They began also now to regard with increased admiration the clemency
and magnanimity of Scipio Africanus； and called to mind how he； when
he had vanquished in Africa the still then invincible and terrible
Hannibal； neither banished him his country； nor exacted of his
countrymen that they should give him up。 At a parley just before
they joined battle； Scipio gave him his hand； and in the peace made
after it； he put no hard article upon him； nor insulted over his
fallen fortune。 It is told； too； that they had another meeting
afterwards； at Ephesus； and that when Hannibal； as they were walking
together； took the upper hand； Africanus let it pass； and walked on
without the least notice of it； and that then they began to talk of
generals； and Hannibal affirmed that Alexander was the greatest
commander the world had seen； next to him Pyrrhus； and the third was
himself； Africanus； with a smile； asked； 〃What would you have said； if
I had not defeated you？〃 〃I would not then； Scipio；〃 he replied； 〃have
made myself the third； but the first commander。〃 Such conduct was much
admired in Scipio； and that of Titus； who had as it were insulted
the dead whom another had slain； was no less generally found fault
with。 Not but that there were some who applauded the action； looking
upon a living Hannibal as a fire； which only wanted blowing to
become a flame。 For when he was in the prime and flower of his age； it
was not his body nor his hand that had been so formidable； but his
consummate skill and experience； together with his innate malice and
rancour against the Roman name； things which do not impair with age。
For the temper and bent of the soul remains constant； while fortune
continually varies； and some new hope might easily rouse to a fresh
attempt those whose hatred made them enemies to the last。 And what
really happened afterwards does to a certain extent tend yet further
to the exculpation of Titus。 Aristonicus； of the family of a common
musician； upon the reputation of being the son of Eumenes； filled
all Asia with tumults and rebellion。 Then again； Mithridates； after
his defeats by Sylla and Fimbria； and vast slaughter as well among his
prime officers as common soldiers； made head again； and proved a
most dangerous enemy； against Lucullus； both by sea and land。 Hannibal
was never reduced to so contemptible a state as Caius Marius； he had
the friendship of a king； and the free exercise of his faculties；
employment and charge in the navy； and over the horse and foot； of
Prusias； whereas those who but now were laughing to hear of Marius
wandering about Africa； destitute and begging； in no long time after
were seen entreating his mercy in Rome； with his rods at their
backs； and his axes at their necks。 So true it is； that looking to the
possible future； we can call nothing that we see either great or
small； as nothing puts an end to the mutability and vicissitude of
things but what puts an end to their very being。 Some authors
accordingly tell us that Titus did not do this of his own head； but
that he was joined in commission with Lucius Scipio； and that the
whole object of the embassy was to effect Hannibal's death。 And now；
as we find no further mention in history of anything done by Titus；
either in war or in the administration of the government； but simply
that he died in peace； it is time to look upon him as he stands in
comparison with Philopoemen。
THE END