been vented, at the time of its destruction, against those who
should presume to rebuild it, might not fall upon him.

I know not what foundation Appian has for this story; but we read in
Strabo,(919) that Carthage and Corinth were rebuilt at the same time by
Caesar, to whom he gives the name of god, by which title, a little before,
he had plainly intended Julius Caesar;(920) and Plutarch,(921) in the life
of that emperor, ascribes expressly to him the establishment of these two
colonies; and observes, that one remarkable circumstance in these two
cities is, that as both had been taken and destroyed at the same time,
they likewise were at the same time rebuilt and repeopled. However this
be, Strabo affirms, that in his time Carthage was as populous as any city
in Africa; and it rose to be the capital of Africa, under the succeeding
emperors. It existed for about seven hundred years after, in splendour,
but at last was so completely destroyed by the Saracens, in the beginning
of the seventh century, that neither its name, nor the least footsteps of
it, are known at this time in the country.

_A Digression on the Manners and Character of the second Scipio
Africanus._--Scipio, the destroyer of Carthage, was son to the famous
Paulus AEmilius, who conquered Perseus, the last king of Macedon; and
consequently grandson to that Paulus AEmilius who lost his life in the
battle of Cannae. He was adopted by the son of the great Scipio Africanus,
and called Scipio AEmilianus; the names of the two families being so
united, pursuant to the law of adoptions. He supported, with equal lustre,
the dignity of both houses, by all the qualities that can confer honour on
the sword and gown.(922) The whole tenour of his life, says an historian,
whether with regard to his actions, his thoughts, or words, was deserving
of the highest praise. He distinguished himself particularly (an eulogium
that, at present, can seldom be applied to persons of the military
profession) by his exquisite taste for polite literature, and all the
sciences, as well as by the uncommon regard he showed to learned men. It
is universally known, that he was reported to be the author of Terence's
comedies, the most polite and elegant writings which the Romans could
boast. We are told of Scipio,(923) that no man could blend more happily
repose and action, nor employ his leisure hours with greater delicacy and
taste: thus was he divided between arms and books, between the mi