The Continence of Scipio: Difference between revisions

Livy describes [[Battle of Cartagena (209 BC)|the siege of the Carthaginian colony of New Carthage]] in Iberia (modern [[Cartagena, Spain]]) in 209 BC, by Roman forces commanded by Publius Cornelius Scipio (who would later become known as [[Scipio Africanus]]). The [[Celtiberians|Celtiberian]] prince Allucius, an ally of Carthage, had earlier been [[betrothed]] to a beautiful virgin woman (who Livy does not name). The woman was taken prisoner during the siege. Scipio had a reputation for [[womanizing]], so the troops brought the woman to him. The usual treatment of attractive female prisoners at this time was [[rape]], taking her as a [[concubine]], selling her into [[slavery]], and/or demanding a [[ransom]] from her family to avoid those fates. When Scipio summonedwas informed of her betrothal, he summoned the woman's parents and fiancé, who arrived with treasure that they offered as a ransom. Scipio refused to accept the ransom, freely returning the prisoner to Allucius, asking that he become a friend to Rome instead. The family then offered the treasure as a [[gift|present]]; Scipio accepted this, but immediately returned the treasure as a [[wedding gift]] from himself. In gratitude, Allucius allied himself with Rome, bringing his tribe's forces to support the Roman armies.<ref>''[[Ab Urbe Condita Libri (Livy)|Ab urbe condita]]'' [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.02.0158%3Abook%3D26%3Achapter%3D50 Book 26, chapter 50]</ref><ref>[[Valerius Maximus]], iv. 3. § 1</ref><ref>Sil. Ital. xv. 268 &c</ref>