The better Africanus

[anubis88]

I've been thinking again... I know, it's bad for me... But i've been wondering what you guys think... Who do you think was the better Scipio Africanus? Publius Cornelius or Scipio Aemilianus?

I mean Africanus Major is definetly more known. If someone would ask me this question a month ago i would have no problem saying Aemilianus who?.. Defeating Hannibal is no small task. But the more i read about Aemilianus and his achievments, the more impressed i am by this guy... Defeating Carthage yes; but the revolution he made in Hispania once he assumed command and destroying Numancia, reorganizing his army, being a profound intelectual with his internal circle etc...

I now really don't know whom i were to choose if someone asked me which one i think was the better one. And i mean better generely; not just as a general, but as a politician as well...

What do you guys think? Whom would you vote for? And why? Please respond to this... I had this debate with some pretty well booked up guys, and we can't seem to agree

[Arjos]

Guess I'll go for Maior, as Aemilianus opposed the Gracchi...
But I don't like them anyway :D

[QuintusSertorius]

As a politician, Maior was a non-entity who was outmaneuvered and forced into early retirement. He only got his shot at general-ship because so many of the eligible men of the age were dead.

[Mulceber]

Bad politician or not, I'd vote for Maior - he faced far more steep military opposition than Aemilianus. Also, I'd point out that there's some who'd call a lack of political craftiness a good thing. -M

[moonburn]

Bad politician or not, I'd vote for Maior - he faced far more steep military opposition than Aemilianus. Also, I'd point out that there's some who'd call a lack of political craftiness a good thing. -M

not for a roman ... a leader was a leader either in politics or in the batlefield they had to be complete overall

[Mulceber]

True that. Although keep in mind that the chief objective of every Roman politician was to gain glory and defend the state. Regardless of his lack of political skill, Maior was quite successful at both. I'd say he was better at it than Aemilianus, but that's just my opinion. -M