T H E V IS IO N O F SCIPIO . A
V E R S IO N
OF
C I C E R O ’S “ S O M N I U M
S C 1P I O N I S .”
^TOHE short fragment of Cicero generally known as the Vision of I Scipio to those who are seeking for the scattered pearls, which once adorned the sacred bosom of the pure virgin of the mysteries> before she was defiled and her robe and jewels trampled in the mire of the sty, is perhaps the most interesting record in the voluminous writings of the great Roman orator. Whence Tully derived his information, whether from the writings of the outer schools of Pythagorean and Platonic philosophy, or from private sources, is in the present case immaterial. Antiquity has appealed to a higher tribunal in these later days for justification, and, as a witness in this all important case, we welcome the noble Scipio, and bid him come into the fair and open court of L U C I F E R , there to plead his cause in words so eloquent, wise and clear, that the jury, L u c i f e r ’S good readers, will require no further comment.* For those who like dates and facts, and the anatomical processes of modern chronicle-ism, with its dry-boned rattle, it may be stated that the occasion of the vision was as follows. A t the outbreak of the third Punic War 149 B .C ., P. Corn. Scipio ^Emilianus Africanus Minor, the philosopher and polished man of letters, accompanied the Roman army to Africa, and there met with the aged Massinissa, prince of Numidia, the friend of his great-grandfather by adoption, the renowned Africanus (Major). After spending the day in discussing the political institutions of their respective countries and in re collections by the aged prince of the elder Africanus, for whom he still retained the most lively affection, Scipio, wearied by the lengthy con versation and exhausted by his journey, retired to his couch and soon fell into a profound sleep. And while he slept the vision of his grandsire appeared to him, in that form which was more familiar to Scipio from his statue than from his own person, and after foretelling the future exploits of his adopted grandson and the incidents of his death in full detail, continued (Scipio narrating the story): “ But that you may be the readier to protect your country, know this of a surety. All who have preserved, helped or increased their country, have in heaven a certain and assigned place, there in blessedness to enjoy a sempiternal age. For to the Supreme Deity, which rules the whole of this universe, nothing on earth is more acceptable than the assemblies and gatherings of men united by law, which are called States. * The most remarkable passages are printed in Italics.