Commentary on the Dream of Scipio and the Saturnalia

original: "SOMNIUM", meaning "The Dream"

imagine of him, than from the man himself. When I recognized him, I truly shuddered; but he said: "Take heart, Scipio, and cast away your fear, and commit to memory what I shall say. Do you see that city, which, though forced by me to obey the Roman people, is renewing its former wars and cannot remain at rest?" (He was pointing out Carthage from a high place, full of stars, bright and clear.) "To attack which you now come almost as a simple soldier; this city you shall overthrow as C O S. COS.: abbreviation for 'Consul', the highest elected political office in the Roman Republic within these next two years, and that surname The title 'Africanus' will be won by your own merit, which you now hold as an inheritance from us. When you have destroyed Carthage, celebrated a triumph, and served as Censor Censor: a high-ranking magistrate responsible for the census and public morality, and have traveled as an envoy through Egypt, Syria, Asia, and Greece, you will be elected C O S. a second time while absent, and you will finish a great war by destroying Numantia A city in Spain that resisted Roman rule for years. But when you have been carried in your chariot to the Capitol, you will find the Republic original: "Remp."/Respublica thrown into confusion by the schemes of my grandson Referring to the political reforms of Tiberius Gracchus, who was a cousin/kinsman to Scipio. It is then, Africanus, that you must show your country the light of your spirit, your character, and your wisdom. But I see at that time a fork, as it were, in the path of destiny. For when your age has completed eight times seven circuits and returns of the sun Meaning 56 years of age, and when these two numbers—each of which is considered 'full' for different reasons—have fulfilled your fated sum in their natural circuit, the whole state will turn to you alone and to your name. The Senate, all good men, the allies, and the Latins will look to you. You will be the one on whom the safety of the state depends. To put it briefly, it will be necessary for you to restore the Republic as D I C T. DICT.: abbreviation for 'Dictator', a magistrate with supreme authority granted during times of national crisis, if you escape the impious hands of your own kinsmen." At this point, when Laelius had cried out and the others had groaned more loudly, Scipio, smiling gently, said: "Quiet, I beg of you, do not wake me from my sleep; let there be peace, and listen to the rest. But so that you may be more eager, Africanus, to protect the Republic, know this: for all those who have preserved, aided, or enlarged their fatherland, there is a certain [place in heaven...]"