The Philosophy of Power: Greek Literary Tradition and Silius’ On Kingship

Abstract

Scipio Africanus is chosen by Silius as the ancient precursor of the ciuilis kingship. He embodies a less embarrassing model than Julius Caesar, the other image of Alexander's heritage, whose life Plutarch chooses to match with that of the Macedonian king. As such, Scipio could also play, in a broader sense, the role of a national archetype of uirtus for a dynasty which, contrary to the Iulii , cannot boast mythical ancestry. According to a famous anecdote narrated by Livy, one day in Ephesus Hannibal himself indirectly granted Scipio Africanus the honor of absolute primacy among military leaders. In fact, Scipio was awarded an extraordinary prize hors concours by his rival. About one and a half century later, following the account of a Greek writer, Lucian, a similar scene comes to a slightly different end: Alexander maintains the primacy, while Scipio's second place tastes like a victory. Keywords: ciuilis kingship; Ephesus Hannibal; Greek literary tradition; Lucian; Silius