sacked。 Yet what was given to each soldier； out of so vast a
destruction and utter ruin； amounted to no more than eleven
drachmas； so that men could only shudder at the issue of a war；
where the wealth of a whole nation thus divided turned to so little
advantage and profit to each particular man。
When Aemilius had done this… an action perfectly contrary to his
gentle and mild nature… he went down to Oricus； where he embarked
his army for Italy。 He sailed up the river Tiber in the king's galley；
that had sixteen banks of oars； and was richly adorned with captured
arms and with cloths of purple and scarlet； so that； the vessel rowing
slowly against the stream； the Romans that crowded on the shore to
meet him had a foretaste of his following triumph。 But the soldiers；
who had cast a covetous eye on the treasures of Perseus； when they did
not obtain as much as they thought they deserved； were secretly
enraged and angry with Aemilius for this； but openly complained that
he had been a severe and tyrannical commander over them； nor were they
ready to show their desire of his triumph。 When Servius Galba； who was
Aemilius's enemy； though he commanded as tribune under him； understood
this； he had the boldness plainly to affirm that a triumph was not
to be allowed him； and sowed various calumnies amongst the soldiers；
which yet further increased their ill…will。 Nay more； he desired the
tribunes of the people； because the four hours that were remaining
of the day could not suffice for the accusation； to let him put it off
till another。 But when the tribunes commanded him to speak then； if he
had anything to say； he began a long oration； filled with all manner
of reproaches； in which he spent the remaining part of the time； and
the tribunes； when it was dark； dismissed the assembly。 The soldiers
growing more vehement on this； thronged all to Galba； and entering
into a conspiracy； early in the morning beset the capitol； where the
tribunes had appointed the following assembly to be held。
As soon as it was day it was put to the vote； and the first tribe
was proceeding to refuse the triumph； and the news spread amongst
the people and to the senate。 The people were indeed much grieved that
Aemilius should meet with such ignominy； but this was only in words；
which had no effect。 The chief of the senate exclaimed against it as a
base action； and excited one another to repress the boldness and
insolence of the soldiers； which would ere long become altogether
ungovernable and violent； were they now permitted to deprive
Aemilius of his triumph。 Forcing a passage through the crowd； they
came up in great numbers； and desired the tribunes to defer polling
till they had spoken what they had to say to the people。 All things
thus suspended； and silence being made； Marcus Servilius stood up； a
man of consular dignity； and who had killed twenty…three of his
enemies that had challenged him in single combat。 〃It is now more than
ever；〃 said he； 〃clear to my mind how great a commander our Aemilius
Paulus is； when I see he was able to perform such famous and great
exploits with an army so full of sedition and baseness； nor can I
sufficiently wonder； that a people that seemed to glory in the
triumphs over Illyrians and Ligurians； should now through envy
refuse to see the Macedonian king led alive； and all the glory of
Philip and Alexander； in captivity to the Roman power。 For is it not a
strange thing for you； who upon a slight rumour of victory that came
by chance into the city； did offer sacrifices and put up your requests
unto the gods that you might see the report verified； now； when the
general is returned with an undoubted conquest； to defraud the gods of
honour； and yourselves of joy； as if you feared to behold the
greatness of his warlike deed； or were resolved to spare your enemy？
And of the two； much better were it to put a stop to the triumph；
out of pity to him； than out of envy to your general； yet to such a
height of power is malice arrived amongst you； that a man without
one scar to show on his skin； that is smooth and sleek with ease and
homekeeping habits； will undertake to define the office and duties
of a general before us； who with our own wounds have been taught how
to judge of the valour or the cowardice of commanders。〃 And； at the
same time； putting aside his garment； he showed an infinite number
of scars upon his breast； and； turning about； he exposed some parts of
his person which it is usual to conceal； and； addressing Galba；
said： 〃You deride me for these； in which I glory before my
fellow…citizens； for it is in their service； in which I have ridden
night and day； that I received them； but go collect the votes；
whilst I follow after； and note the base and ungrateful； and such as
choose rather to be flattered and courted than commanded by their
general。〃 It is said this speech so stopped the soldiers' mouths；
and altered their minds； that all the tribes decreed a triumph for
Aemilius； which was performed after this manner。
The people erected scaffolds in the forum； in the circuses； as
they call their buildings for horse…races； and in all other parts of
the city where they could best behold the show。 The spectators were
clad in white garments； all the temples were open； and full of
garlands and perfumes； the ways were cleared and kept open by numerous
officers； who drove back all who crowded into or ran across the main
avenue。 This triumph lasted three days。 On the first； which was
scarcely long enough for the sight； were to be seen the statues；
pictures； and colossal images which were taken from the enemy； drawn
upon two hundred and fifty chariots。 On the second was carried in a
great many wagons the finest and richest armour of the Macedonians；
both of brass and steel； all newly polished and glittering the
pieces of which were piled up and arranged purposely with the greatest
art； so as to seem to be tumbled in heaps carelessly and by chance：
helmets were thrown upon shields； coats of mail upon greaves； Cretan
targets； and Thracian bucklers and quivers of arrows； lay huddled
amongst horses' bits； and through these there appeared the points of
naked swords； intermixed with long Macedonian sarissas。 All these arms
were fastened together with just so much looseness that they struck
against one another as they were drawn along； and made a harsh and
alarming noise； so that； even as spoils of a conquered enemy； they
could not be beheld without dread。 After these wagons loaded with
armour there followed three thousand men who carried the silver that
was coined； in seven hundred and fifty vessels； each of which
weighed three talents； and was carried by four men。 Others brought
silver bowls and goblets and cups； all disposed in such order as to
make the best show； and all curious as well for their size as the
solidity of their embossed work。
On the third day； early in the morning； first came the trumpeters；
who did not sound as they were wont in a procession or solemn entry；
but such a charge as the Romans use when they encourage the soldiers
to fight。 Next followed young men wearing frocks with ornamented
borders； who led to the sacrifice a hundred and twenty stalled oxen；
with their horns gilded； and their heads adorned with ribbons and
garlands； and with these were boys that carried basins for libation；
of silver and gold。 After this was brought the gold coin； which was
divided into vessels that weighed three talents； like those that
contained the silver； they were in number seventy…seven。 These were
followed by those that brought the consecrated bowl which Aemilius had
caused to be made； that weighed ten talents； and was set with precious
stones。 Then were exposed to view the cups of Antigonus and
Seleucus； and those of the Thericlean make； and all the gold plate
that was used at Perseus's table。 Next to these came Perseus's
chariot； in which his armour was placed； and on that his diadem。
And； after a little intermission； the king's children were led
captives； and with them a train of their attendants； masters； and
teachers； all shedding tears； and stretching out hands to the
spectators； and making the children themselves also beg and entreat
their compassion。 There were two sons and a daughter； whose tender age
made them but little sensible of the greatness of their misery；
which very insensibility of their condition rendered it the more
deplorable； insomuch that Perseus himself was scarcely regarded as
he went along； whilst pity fixed the eyes of the Romans upon the
infants； and many of them could not forbear tears； and all beheld
the sight with a mixture of sorrow and pleasure； until the children
were passed。
After his children and their attendants came Perseus himself； clad
all in black； and wearing the boots of his country； and looking like
one altogether stunned and deprived of reason； through the greatness
of his misfortunes。 Next followed a great company of his friends and
familiars； whose countenances were disfigured with grief； and who
let the spectators see； by their tears and their continual looking
upon Perseus； that it was his fortune they so much lamented； and
that they were regardless of their own。 Perseus sent to Aemilius to
entreat that he might not be led in pomp； but be left out of the
triumph； who； deriding； as was but just； his cowardice and fondness of
life； sent him this answer； that as for that； it had been before；
and was now； in his own power； giving him to understand that the
disgrace could be avoided by death； which the faint…hearted man not
having the spirit for； and made effeminate by I know not what hopes；
allowed himself to appear as a part of his own spoils。 After these
were carried four hundred crowns； all made of gold； sent from the
cities by their respective deputations to Aemilius； in honour of his
victory。 Then he himself came； seated on a chariot magnificently
adorned （a man well worthy to be looked at； even without these ensigns
of power）； dressed in a robe of purple； interwoven with gold； and
holding a laurel branch in his right hand。 All the army； in like
manner； with boughs of laurel in their hands； divided into their hands
and companies； followed the c