His cousin also won the election.[9]. This humanitarian act encouraged local chieftains to both supply and reinforce Scipio's small army. It is believed that Africanus' earliest post was as a military tribune in Spain, though this is not certain. Less beneficially, the Scipios may have led the way in the inevitable chasm that grew up between the Roman elite and the Roman masses, in terms of the way the elite was educated and lived and in the amount of wealth they possessed. His death is said to have taken place under suspicious circumstances, and it is possible that he either died of the lingering effects of the fever contracted while on campaign in 190 BC, or that he took his own life for causes unknown. 'In that case,' replied Hannibal, 'I should say that I surpassed Alexander and Pyrrhus, and all other commanders in the world.' [28] The affair, if it lasted from circa 191 BC to Scipio's death 183 BC, might have resulted in issue (not mentioned); what is mentioned is that the girl was freed by Aemilia Paulla after Scipio's death and married to one of his freedmen. "[29], Metellus Scipio, a descendant of Scipio, commanded legions against Julius Caesar in Africa until his defeat at the Battle of Thapsus in 49 BC. Scipio did not introduce Greek ideas or art to the Romans, but his ardent support for the Greek way of life coupled with his own charisma had its inevitable impact. Scipio was welcomed back to Rome in triumph with the agnomen of Africanus. Raphael's painting Vision of a Knight is thought to be a depiction of Scipio. The march from Handel's setting, entitled Scipione, remains the regimental slow march of the British Grenadier Guards.
After the fall of the Gracchi, the house of Caecilius became more prominent; however, the Scipiones maintained their aristocratic lustre, providing the consular general who unsuccessfully prevented Sulla's second march on Rome and Metellus Scipio whose daughter was the last wife of Pompey the Great, and who took over command in the civil war against Julius Caesar after the death of Pompey. Scipio, already known for his bravery and patriotism, was elected unanimously and the Tribunes abandoned their opposition. Womanly virtue. Scipio is also referenced in the Italian national anthem. Scipio was a member of the Salii, the college of priests of Mars. Scipio's great-grandfather, Lucius Cornelius Scipio Barbatus, and grandfather Lucius Cornelius Scipio, had both been consuls and censors. The people crowded round him and followed him to the Capitol, where they offered thanks to the gods and begged them to give Rome more citizens like Scipio Africanus. The true measure of Scipio's character in this regard can perhaps be seen by his behaviour shortly after returning in triumph from Africa to a grateful Rome. He refused the many further honours which the people would have thrust upon him such as Consul for life and Dictator. Although commonly referred to as Africanus Fabius Maximus, it remains unclear whether that was his official name or whether it was Quintus Fabius Maximus Africanus.