Scipio Africanus laid siege to Numantia, [Y. R. 619. B. C. 133,] and
restored to the strictest military discipline the army, which had been
corrupted by licentiousness and luxury: this he effected by cutting off
every kind of pleasurable gratification; driving away the prostitutes
who followed the camp, to the number of two thousand; keeping the
soldiers to hard labour, and compelling every man to bear on his
shoulders provisions for thirty days, besides seven stakes for their
fortifications; to any one who lagged behind on account of the burden,
he used to cry out, When you are able to defend yourself with your
sword, then cease to carry your fortification; he ordered another who
carried with ease a small shield, to bear one unusually large; and not
unfrequently ridiculed them for being more expert in managing their
shields for the defence of their own bodies, than their swords for the
annoyance of those of the enemy. When he found any man absent from his
post, he ordered him to be flogged with vine twigs, if a Roman; if a
foreigner, with rods. He sold all the beasts of burden, that the
soldiers might be forced to carry their own baggage. He engaged in
frequent skirmishes with the enemy, with good success. The Vaccæans,
being reduced to extremity, first put their wives and children to death,
and then slew themselves. Antiochus, king of Syria, having sent him
some very magnificent presents, Scipio, contrary to the practice of
other commanders who used to conceal these royal gifts, received them
openly, and ordered the quæstor to place the whole to the public
account, and promised out of them, to reward those who should most
distinguish themselves by their valour. When Numantia was closely
invested on all sides, he gave orders that those who came out in search
of victuals should not be killed; saying, that the more numerous the
inhabitants were, the sooner would their provisions be consumed.