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Scipio Africanus； the nearest relations of Cornelia；
preferring Tiberius to all other competitors； gave her to him
in marriage； not having been engaged or promised to anyone
by her father。
This young Tiberius； accordingly； serving in Africa under the
younger Scipio； who had married his sister； and living there
under the same tent with him； soon learned to estimate the
noble spirit of his commander； which was so fit to inspire
strong feelings of emulation in virtue and desire to prove
merit in action； and in a short time he excelled all the
young men of the army in obedience and courage； and he was
the first that mounted the enemy's wall； as Fannius says； who
writes； that he himself climbed up with him； and was partaker
in the achievement。 He was regarded； while he continued with
the army； with great affection； and left behind him on his
departure a strong desire for his return。
After that expedition； being chosen paymaster； it was his
fortune to serve in the war against the Numantines； under the
command of Caius Mancinus； the consul； a person of no bad
character； but the most unfortunate of all the Roman
generals。 Notwithstanding； amidst the greatest misfortunes；
and in the most unsuccessful enterprises； not only the
discretion and valor of Tiberius； but also； which was still
more to be admired； the great respect and honor which he
showed for his general； were most eminently remarkable；
though the general himself； when reduced to straits； forgot
his own dignity and office。 For being beaten in various
great battles； he endeavored to dislodge by night； and leave
his camp； which the Numantines perceiving； immediately
possessed themselves of his camp； and pursuing that part of
the forces which was in flight； slew those that were in the
rear； hedged the whole army in on every side； and forced them
into difficult ground； whence there could be no possibility
of an escape。 Mancinus； despairing to make his way through
by force； sent a messenger to desire a truce； and conditions
of peace。 But they refused to give their confidence to any
one except Tiberius； and required that he should be sent to
treat with them。 This was not only in regard to the young
man's own character； for he had a great reputation amongst
the soldiers； but also in remembrance of his father Tiberius；
who； in his command against the Spaniards； had reduced great
numbers of them to subjection； but granted a peace to the
Numantines； and prevailed upon the Romans to keep it
punctually and inviolably。
Tiberius was accordingly dispatched to the enemy； whom he
persuaded to accept of several conditions； and he himself
complied with others； and by this means it is beyond a
question； that he saved twenty thousand of the Roman
citizens； besides attendants and camp followers。 However；
the Numantines retained possession of all the property they
had found and plundered in the encampment； and amongst other
things were Tiberius's books of accounts； containing the
whole transactions of his quaestorship； which he was
extremely anxious to recover。 And therefore； when the army
were already upon their march； he returned to Numantia；
accompanied with only three or four of his friends； and
making his application to the officers of the Numantines； he
entreated that they would return him his books； lest his
enemies should have it in their power to reproach him with
not being able to give an account of the monies entrusted to
him。 The Numantines joyfully embraced this opportunity of
obliging him； and invited him into the city； as he stood
hesitating； they came up and took him by the hands； and
begged that he would no longer look upon them as enemies； but
believe them to be his friends； and treat them as such。
Tiberius thought it well to consent； desirous as he was to
have his books returned； and was afraid lest he should
disoblige them by showing any distrust。 As soon as he
entered into the city； they first offered him food； and made
every kind of entreaty that he would sit down and eat
something in their company。 Afterwards they returned his
books； and gave him the liberty to take whatever he wished
for in the remaining spoils。 He； on the other hand； would
accept of nothing but some frankincense； which he used in his
public sacrifices； and； bidding them farewell with every
expression of kindness； departed。
When he returned to Rome； he found the whole transaction
censured and reproached； as a proceeding that was base； and
scandalous to the Romans。 But the relations and friends of
the soldiers； forming a large body among the people； came
flocking to Tiberius； whom they acknowledged as the preserver
of so many citizens； imputing to the general all the
miscarriages which had happened。 Those who cried out against
what had been done； urged for imitation the example of their
ancestors； who stripped and handed over to the Samnites not
only the generals who had consented to the terms of release；
but also all the quaestors； for example； and tribunes； who
had in any way implicated themselves in the agreement； laying
the guilt of perjury and breach of conditions on their heads。
But； in this affair； the populace； showing an extraordinary
kindness and affection for Tiberius； indeed voted that the
consul should be stripped and put in irons； and so delivered
to the Numantines； but for the sake of Tiberius； spared all
the other officers。 It may be probable； also； that Scipio；
who at that time was the greatest and most powerful man among
the Romans； contributed to save him； though indeed he was
also censured for not protecting Mancinus too； and that he
did not exert himself to maintain the observance of the
articles of peace which had been agreed upon by his kinsman
and friend Tiberius。 But it may be presumed that the
difference between them was for the most part due to
ambitious feelings； and to the friends and reasoners who
urged on Tiberius； and； as it was； it never amounted to any
thing that might not have been remedied； or that was really
bad。 Nor can I think that Tiberius would ever have met with
his misfortunes； if Scipio had been concerned in dealing with
his measures； but he was away fighting at Numantia； when
Tiberius； upon the following occasion； first came forward as
a legislator。
Of the land which the Romans gained by conquest from their
neighbors； part they sold publicly； and turned the remainder
into common； this common land they assigned to such of the
citizens as were poor and indigent； for which they were to
pay only a small acknowledgment into the public treasury。
But when the wealthy men began to offer larger rents； and
drive the poorer people out； it was enacted by law； that no
person whatever should enjoy more than five hundred acres of
ground。 This act for some time checked the avarice of the
richer； and was of great assistance to the poorer people； who
retained under it their respective proportions o