4.11-12

Ch. 11: The Death of Masinissa (148 BCE)

Polybius 37.10; Appian, Punic Wars 105–106; Livy, Epitome 50.

Per idem tempus: equivalent to the Ablative of Time within which (Hazzard, AG 423)

Masinissa: Eutropius describes Rome's relationship with Numidian king Masinissa in Brev. 3.22.

amicus populī Rōmānī: apposition, agreeing with Masinissa (subject)

annō vītae nōnāgēsimō septimō mortuus: Masinissa died in 148 BCE.

quadrāgintā quattuor fīliīs relīctīs: ablative absolute with perfect passive participle (AG 419)

Scīpiōnem: see Scipio Aemilianus

Ch. 12: The Destruction of Carthage

(1) Cum igitur clārum Scīpiōnis nōmen esset: cum is causal (AG 549)

iuvenis: By a law passed in 181 BCE, the legal age of the consulship was fixed at forty-three. There were exceptions made, as in the case of Cn. Pompeius [Pompey the Great], who was elected consul when he was thirty-six years old (Hazzard). Scipio Aemilianus' age is noted as exceptionally young for the office when he became consul in 147 BCE.

cōnsul est factus: As in the case of his grandfather by adoption, there was the tacit understanding that his office was to be continued until he had brought the war to an end. The Romans by his time had learned the advantage of retaining in office in times of danger a man who showed himself adapted to the place (Hazzard).

Spolia ibi inventa: supply est. For the practice of despoliation of enemies, see spolia opima

quae sua recognōscēbant: "which they recognized as their own" (Hazzard)

septingentēsimō annō: According to Timaeus, Carthage was founded in 814 BCE but no archaeological finds predate c. 750 BCE (Bird).

(2) Scīpiō: see Scipio Aemilianus

nōmen: supply idem "the same title that..."

avus eius: his grandfather by adoption, P. Cornelius Scipio Africanus Maior, the conqueror of Hannibal (Hazzard)

 Āfricānus iūnior: "Africanus the younger"

vocārētur: subjunctive verb in result clause signaled by ut.