82.2
He observed the precept of Polybius, and tried never to leave the Forum before he had in some way made an acquaintance and friend of somebody among those who spoke with him. Cf. Moralia, 659 E. Aelian, Varia Historia, xiv. 38, speaks of the advice as given by Epameinondas to Pelopidas, possibly confusing the two Scipios, and the two Lives (of Epameinondas and the elder Scipio)!
82.3
While he was still a young man he had such repute for bravery and sagacity that when Cato the Elder was asked about the men in the army at Carthage, of whom Scipio was one, he said, He, and he only, has wisdom; the rest are but fluttering shadows. Cf. Moralia, 805 A; Plutarch’s Life of M. Cato, chap. xxvii. (352 F); Livy, Epitome of Book xlix. It may be inferred from Suidas, s.v. ἀίσσουσιν that the original source was Polybius. The Homeric quotation is from the Odyssey, x. 495.
82.4
When he came to Rome from a campaign, the people called him to office, The consulship in 147 B.C. Cf. Velleius Paterculus, i. 12. 3. not by way of showing favour to him, but hoping through him to capture Carthage speedily and easily.
82.5
After he had passed the outer wall, the Carthaginians stoutly defended themselves in the citadel. He perceived that the sea lying between was not very deep, and Polybius advised him to scatter in it iron balls with projecting points, or else to throw into it planks full of spikes so that the enemy might not cross and attack the Roman ramparts. Cf. Zonaras, ix. 29. But Scipio said that it was ridiculous, after they were in possession of the walls and well within the city, to endeavour to avoid fighting the enemy. An account of the capture of Carthage is given by Diodorus, xxxii. 23-25, and Appian, Roman History, the Punic Wars, xix. 127-132. Cf. also Valerius Maximus, iii. 7. 2.
