Plutarch
46-119 A.C.E - Wrote in Greek
The Comparison of
Timoleon with Aemilius Paulus
Written 75 A.C.E.
Translated by John Dryden
The Comparison of
Timoleon with Aemilius Paulus
By Plutarch
Such being the story of these two great men's lives, without doubt in the
comparison very little difference will be found between them. They made
war with two powerful enemies: the one against the Macedonians, and the
other with the Carthaginians; and the success was in both cases glorious.
One conquered Macedon from the seventh succeeding heir of Antigonus; the
other freed Sicily from usurping tyrants, and restored the island to its
former liberty. Unless, indeed, it be made a point of Aemilius's side,
that he engaged with Perseus when his forces were entire, and composed
of men that had often successfully fought with the Romans; whereas Timoleon
found Dionysius in a despairing condition, his affairs being reduced to
the last extremity; or, on the contrary, it be urged in favour of Timoleon,
that he vanquished several tyrants, and a powerful Carthaginian army, with
which an inconsiderable number of men gathered together from all parts,
not with such an army as Aemilius had, of well-disciplined soldiers, experienced
in war, and accustomed to obey; but with such as through the hopes of gain
restored to them, unskilled in fighting and ungovernable. And when actions
are equally glorious, and the means to compass them unequal, the greatest
esteem is certainly due to that general who conquers with the small
power.
Both have the reputation of having behaved themselves with an uncorrupted
integrity in all the affairs they managed; but Aemilius had the advantage
of being, from his infancy, by the laws and customs of his country brought
up to the proper management of public affairs, which Timoleon brought himself
to by his own efforts. And this is plain; for at that time all the Romans
were uniformly orderly and obedient, respectful to the laws and to their
fellow-citizens: whereas it is remarkable that not one of the Greek generals
commanding in Sicily could keep himself uncorrupted, except Dion, and of
him many entertained a jealousy that he would establish a monarchy there,
after the Lacedaemonian manner. Timaeus writes, that the Syracusans sent
even Gylippus home dishonourably, and with a reputation lost by the unsatiable
covetousness he displayed when he commanded the army. And numerous historians
tell us of the wicked and perfidious acts committed by Pharax the Spartan
and Callippus the Athenian, with the view of making themselves kings of
Sicily. Yet what were these men, and what strength had they, to entertain
such a thought? The first of them was a follower of Dionysius, when he
was expelled from Syracuse, and the other a hired captain of foot under
Dion, and came into Sicily with him. But Timoleon, at the request and prayers
of the Syracusans, was sent to be their general, and had no need to seek
for power, but had a perfect title, founded on their own offers, to hold
it; and yet no sooner had he freed Sicily from her oppressors, but he willingly
surrendered it.
It is truly worthy our admiration in Aemilius, that though he conquered
so great and so rich a realm as that of Macedon, yet he would not touch,
nor see any of the money, nor did he advantage himself one farthing by
it, though he was very generous of his own to others. I would not intend
any reflection on Timoleon for accepting of a house and handsome estate
in the country, which the Syracusans presented him with; there is no dishonour
in accepting; but yet there is greater glory in a refusal, and the supremest
virtue is shown in not wanting what it might fairly take. And as that body
is, without doubt, the most strong and healthful which can the easiest
support extreme cold and excessive heat in the change of seasons, and that
the most firm and collected mind which is not puffed up with prosperity
nor dejected with adversity; so the virtue of Aemilius was eminently seen
in his countenance and behaviour, continuing as noble and lofty upon the
loss of two dear sons, as when he achieved his greatest victories and triumphs.
But Timoleon, after he had justly punished his brother, a truly heroic
action, let his reason yield to a causeless sorrow, and humiliated with
grief and remorse, forbore for twenty years to appear in any public place,
or meddle with any affairs of the commonwealth. It is truly very commendable
to abhor and shun the doing any base action; but to stand in fear of every
kind of censure or disrepute may argue a gentle and open-hearted, but not
an heroic temper.
THE END
|
