Page:Frontinus - The stratagems, and, the aqueducts of Rome (Bennet et al 1925).djvu/337

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STRATAGEMS, IV. m. 3-10

of the greatest enterprises, was so poor that he supported liimself, his wife, and children on a small fjirm which was tilled by a single steward. Hearing of the death of this steward, Kegulus wrote to the Senate requesting them to appoint someone to succeed him in the command, since his propertv was left in jeopardy by the death of his slave, and his own presence at home was necessary. ^

Gnaeus Scipio, after successful exploits in Spain, died in the extremest poverty, not even leaving money enough for a dowry for his daughters. The Senate, therefore, in consequence of their poverty, furnisiied them dowries at public expense.-

The Athenians did the same thing for the daughters of Aristides, who died in the greatest ])overty after directing most important enterprises.^

Epaminondas, the Theban general, was a man of such simple habits that among his belongings nothing was found beyond a mat and a single spit.*

Hannibal was accustomed to rise while it was still dark, but never took any rest before night. At dusk, and not before, he called his friends to dinner; and not more than two couches ^ were ever filled with dinner guests at his headquarters.^

The same general, when serving under Hasdrubal AS commander, usually slept on the bare ground, wrapped only in a common military cloak. ^

I'he story goes that Scipio Aemilianus used to eat bread offered him as he walked along on the march in the company of his friends.

The same story is related of Alexander of Macedon.

  • Frontinus has in mind a Roman Icdus, or tlining-coucli,

which accommodated three persons.

6 C/. Livy xxi. 4 ; Sil. Ital. xii. 559-560.

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