in ancient Rome, a branch of the patrician Cornelius family that produced several prominent military commanders and statesmen.
Scipio Africanus (Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus, known as Scipio the Elder). Born circa 235 B.C.; died circa 183 B.C. General in the Second Punic War.
As a military tribune, Scipio fought at Cannae in 216 B.C. He became aedilis curulis in 213 B.C. In 207 B.C. he defeated the Carthaginian commander Hasdrubal in Spain. In 205 B.C. he was elected consul. He defeated Hannibal’s army near Zama in 202 B.C.
Scipio played a prominent role in Roman politics. He became censor and princeps senatus in 199 B.C and was again elected consul in 194 B.C. A well-educated man, he favored Greek culture.
Scipio Asiaticus (Lucius Cornelius Scipio Asiaticus). Brother of Scipio Africanus.
Scipio Asiaticus became consul in 190 B.C He defeated the Seleucid king Antiochus III in the battle of Magnesia in 190 B.C
Scipio Aemilianus Africanus (Publius Cornelius Scipio Aemilianus Africanus, known as Scipio the Younger). Born circa 185 B.C.; died 129 B.C. Military commander and statesman; adopted grandson of Scipio Africanus.
In 146 B.C., while serving as consul, Scipio Aemilianus Africa nus captured Carthage and razed it to the ground, ending the Third Punic War. In 133 B.C., again serving as consul, he crushed the rebellion of Numantia in Spain. Despite family ties, Scipio was hostile to the agrarian reforms of the Gracchi. Scipio is traditionally depicted as an avid admirer of Greek culture; he organized the Scipionic Circle, a group of writers that sought to promote the adoption of Greek learning and art in Rome. He is said to have supported strengthening the state by distributing state lands to Italici who lived as tenant farmers.