[3] This great man was equal to an army for the defence of the place.  He invented engines which threw enormous stones against the Romans, hoisted their ships in the air, and then dashed them against the rocks beneath, and dismounted their battering engines.  He also set fire to some of the Roman ships by the use of reflectors, or looking-glasses, directing the sun’s rays from a great number of them on the same spot at the same time.

[4] During his command in Spain, a circumstance occurred which has contributed more to the fame and glory of Scipio than all his military exploits.  At the taking of New Carthage, a lady of extraordinary beauty was brought to Scipio, who found himself greatly affected by her charms.  Understanding, however, that she was betrothed to a Celtibe’rian prince, named Allu’cius, he generously resolved to conquer his rising passion, and sending for her lover, restored her without any other recompence than requesting his friendship to the republic.  Her parents had brought a large sum of money for her ransom, which they earnestly entreated Scipio to accept; but he generously bestowed it on Allu’cius, as the portion of his bride. (Liv. l. xxvi. c. 50.)

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CHAPTER XVI.

     Beauteous Greece,
  Torn from her joys, in vain, with languid arm,
  Half raised her lusty shield.—­Dyer.

1.  While the Romans were engaged with Hannibal, they carried on also a vigorous war against Philip, king of Ma’cedon, not a little incited thereto by the prayers of the Athe’nians; who, from once controlling the powers of Persia, were now unable to defend themselves.  The Rho’dians with At’talus, king of Per’gamus, also entered into the confederacy against Philip. 2.  He was more than once defeated by Galba, the consul.  He attempted to besiege Athens, but the Romans obliged him to raise the siege.  He tried to take possession of the Straits of Thermop’ylae, but was driven from thence by Quin’tus Flamin’ius, with great slaughter.  He attempted to take refuge in Thes’saly, where he was again defeated, with considerable loss, and obliged to beg a peace, upon condition of paying a thousand talents. 3.  Peace with Philip gave the Romans an opportunity of showing their generosity, by restoring liberty to Greece.

4.  Antio’chus, king of Syria, was next brought to submit to the Roman arms:  after embassies on the one side and on the other, hostilities were commenced against him five years after the conclusion of the Macedo’nian war. 5.  After many mistakes and great misconduct, he attempted to obtain a peace, by offering to quit all his places in Europe, and such in Asia as professed alliance to Rome. 6.  But it was now too late; Scip’io perceived his own superiority, and was resolved to avail himself of it. 7.  Antio’chus, thus driven into resistance, for some time retreated before the enemy, till, being pressed hard, near the city of Magnesia he was forced to draw out his men, to the number of seventy thousand foot, and twelve thousand horse.