of the Spaniards to be made.  So their treachery was anticipated and punished, and Scipio again made a campaign against Carthage; he was engaged in devastating their fields [IX, 13.] while Syphax was waging war upon the followers of Laelius.  That prince offered successful resistance for some time, but eventually the Romans prevailed, slaughtered many, took many alive, and captured Syphax.  They also acquired possession of Cirta, his palace, without a contest by displaying to the guardians within their king, now a prisoner.

It was there that Sophonis also was.  Masinissa at once rushed toward her and embracing her said:  “I hold Syphax that snatched thee away.  I hold thee also.  Fear not.  Thou hast not become a captive, since thou hast me as an ally.”  After these words he married her on the spot, anticipating any action on the part of the Romans out of fear that he might somehow lose her, were she reckoned among the spoil.  Then he assumed control of the rest of the cities of Syphax also. [Sidenote:  FRAG. 56^53] AND THEY BROUGHT TO SCIPIO ALONG WITH THE OTHER PROPERTY SYPHAX HIMSELF.  AND THE COMMANDER WOULD NOT CONSENT TO SEE HIM REMAIN BOUND IN CHAINS, BUT CALLING TO MIND HIS ENTERTAINMENT AT THE OTHER’S COURT AND REFLECTING ON HUMAN POSSIBILITIES HE LEAPED FROM HIS CHAIR, LOOSED HIM, EMBRACED HIM, AND TREATED HIM WITH RESPECT.  Once he asked him:  “What possessed you to go to war with us?” Syphax excused himself skillfully and at the same time made himself secure against Masinissa by declaring that Sophonis had been responsible for his attitude.  To please her father Hasdrubal she had ensnared him by witchcraft against his will to espouse the Carthaginian cause.  “At any rate,” he went on, “I have paid a proper penalty for being hoodwinked by a woman, and in the midst of my evils have at least one consolation,—­that Masinissa has married her.  For she will certainly bring about his utter ruin likewise.”

Scipio feeling suspicious about this action of Masinissa called him and censured him for having so speedily married a woman taken captive from the enemy without the commanding officer’s consent, and he bade him give her up to the Romans.  Masinissa, thoroughly distracted, rushed into the tent where Sophonis was and cried out to her:  “If I might by my own death ensure thee liberty and freedom from outrage, I would cheerfully die for thee; but since this is impossible, I send thee before me whither I and all shall come.”  With these words he held out poison to her.  And she uttered neither lament nor groan but with much nobility made answer:  “Husband, if this is thy will, I am content.  My soul shall after thee know no other lord:  for my body, if Scipio require it, let him take it with life extinct.”  Thus she met her death, and Scipio marveled at the deed.

Laelius conducted to Rome Syphax and his son Vermina and some others of the foremost men; and the citizens gave Syphax an estate at Alba, where at his death they honored him with a public funeral, and confirmed Vermina in the possession of his father’s kingdom besides bestowing upon him the captured Nomads.