第 5 节
作者:
开了 更新:2021-02-19 00:13 字数:9322
other; were ransacked by the Macedonians; and while Manius laid
Heraclea waste; and besieged Naupactus; then in the Aetolians'
hands; Titus; still with a compassionate care for Greece; sailed
across from Peloponnesus to the consul: and began first of all to
chide him; that the victory should be owing alone to his arms; and yet
he should suffer Philip to bear away the prize and profit of the
war; and set wreaking his anger upon a single town; whilst the
Macedonians overran several nations and kingdoms。 But as he happened
to stand then in view of the besieged; they no sooner spied him out;
but they call to him from their wall; they stretch forth their
hands; they supplicate and entreat him。 At the time; he said not a
word more; but turning about with tears in his eyes; went his way。
Some little while after he discussed the matter so effectually with
Manius; that he won him over from his passion; and prevailed with
him to give a truce and time to the Aetolians to send deputies to Rome
to petition the senate for terms of moderation。
But the hardest task; and that which put Titus to the greatest
difficulty; was to entreat with Manius for the Chalcidians; who had
incensed him on account of a marriage which Antiochus had made in
their city; even whilst the war was on foot; a match noways suitable
in point of age; he an elderly man being enamoured with a mere girl;
and as little proper for the time; in the midst of a war。 She was
the daughter of one Cleoptolemus; and is said to have been wonderfully
beautiful。 The Chalcidians; in consequence; embraced the king's
interests with zeal and alacrity; and let him make their city the
basis of his operations during the war。 Thither; therefore; he made
with all speed; when he was routed and fled; and reaching Chalcis;
without making any stay; taking this young lady; and his money and
friends with him; away he sails to Asia。 And now Manius's
indignation carrying him in all haste against the Chalcidians; Titus
hurried after him; endeavouring to pacify and to entreat him; and at
length succeeded both with him and the chief men among the Romans。
The Chalcidians; thus owing their lives to Titus; dedicated to him
all the best and most magnificent of their sacred buildings;
inscriptions upon which may be seen to run thus to this day: THE
PEOPLE DEDICATE THIS GYMNASIUM TO TITUS AND TO HERCULES; so again: THE
PEOPLE CONSECRATE THE DELPHINIUM TO TITUS AND TO HERCULES; and what is
yet more; even in our time; a priest of Titus was formerly elected and
declared; and after sacrifice and libation; they sing a set song; much
of which for the length of it we omit; but shall transcribe the
closing verses…
〃The Roman Faith; whose aid of yore
Our vows were offered to implore;
We worship now and evermore。
To Rome; to Titus; and to Jove;
O maidens; in the dances move。
Dances and Io…Paeans too
Unto the Roman Faith are due;
O Saviour Titus; and to you。〃
Other parts of Greece also heaped honours upon him suitable to his
merits; and what made all those honours true and real; was the
surprising goodwill and affection which his moderation and equity of
character had won for him。 For if he were at any time at variance with
anybody in matters of business; or out of emulation and rivalry (as
with Philopoemen; and again with Diophanes; when in office as
general of the Achaeans); his resentment never went far; nor did it
ever break out into acts; but when it had vented itself in some
citizen…like freedom of speech; there was an end of it。 In fine;
nobody charged malice or bitterness upon his nature; though many
imputed hastiness and levity to it; in general; he was the most
attractive and agreeable of companions; and could speak; too; both
with grace and forcibly。 For instance; to divert the Achaeans from the
conquest of the isle of Zacynthus; 〃If;〃 said he; 〃they put their head
too far out of Peloponnesus; they may hazard themselves as much as a
tortoise out of its shell。〃 Again; when he and Philip first met to
treat of a cessation and peace; the latter complaining that Titus came
with a mighty train; while he himself came alone and unattended;
〃Yes;〃 replied Titus; 〃you have left yourself alone by killing your
friends。〃 At another time; Dinocrates; the Messenian; having drunk too
much at a merry…meeting in Rome; danced there in woman's clothes;
and the next day addressed himself to Titus for assistance in his
design to get Messene out of the hands of the Achaeans。 〃This;〃
replied Titus; 〃will be matter for consideration; my only surprise
is that a man with such purposes on his hands should be able to
dance and sing at drinking parties。〃 When; again; the ambassadors of
Antiochus were recounting to those of Achaea the various multitudes
composing their royal master's forces; and ran over a long catalogue
of hard names; 〃I supped once;〃 said Titus; 〃with a friend; and
could not forbear expostulating with him at the number of dishes he
had provided; and said I wondered where he had furnished himself
with such a variety; 'Sir;' replied he; 'to confess the truth; it is
all hog's flesh differently cooked。' And so; men of Achaea; when you
are told of Antiochus's lancers; and pikemen; and foot…guards; I
advise you not to be surprised; since in fact they are all Syrians;
differently armed。〃
After his achievements in Greece; and when the war with Antiochus
was at an end; Titus was created censor; the most eminent office; and;
in a manner; the highest preferment; in the commonwealth。 The son of
Marcellus; who had been five times consul; was his colleague。 These;
by virtue of their office; cashiered four senators of no great
distinction; and admitted to the roll of citizens all freeborn
residents。 But this was more by constraint than their own choice;
for Terentius Culeo; then tribune of the people; to spite the
nobility; spurred on the populace to order it to be done。 At this
time; the two greatest and most eminent persons in the city; Africanus
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; bu