with Sparta. Metellus warned
them to desist, and when the Achaeans advanced against him, he easily
defeated them near SCARPHEIA.

Metellus was a moderate reformer and a model man. He belonged to an
illustrious plebeian _gens_, the Caecilian. Before his death in 115
three of his sons had been consuls, one censor, and the fourth was a
candidate for the consulship.

Metellus was succeeded in Greece by LUCIUS MUMMIUS, a cruel and harsh
leader. The remnant of the Achaean army had taken refuge in CORINTH.
The Senate directed Mummius to attack the city. Its capture in 146
was marked by special cruelties. The city was burned to the ground;
beautiful pictures and costly statuary were ruthlessly destroyed. Gold
in abundance was carried to Rome. The last vestige of Greek liberty
vanished. The country became a Roman province under the name of ACHAIA.

Corinth, the "eye of all Greece," remained in ruins for a century, when
it was rebuilt in 46 by Julius Caesar, who planted on its site a colony
of veterans and freedmen.

CHAPTER XIX. THE THIRD PUNIC WAR, AND FALL OF CARTHAGE.

Fifty years had passed since Zama. It was a period of great commercial
prosperity for Carthage, but her government was weakened by the quarrels
of conflicting factions.

MASINISSA, King of Numidia, an ally of the Romans, was a continual
source of annoyance to Carthage. He made inroads upon her territory,
and, as she was bound by her treaty not to war upon any allies of Rome,
her only recourse was to complain to the Senate. In 157 an embassy was
sent to inquire into the troubles. MARCUS PORCIUS CATO, the chief of the
embassy, was especially alarmed at the prosperity of the city, and from
that time never ceased to urge its destruction. The embassy did not
reach any decision, but allowed matters to go on as they might. Finally,
when some sympathizers with Masinissa were banished from the city, he
attacked and defeated the Carthaginians, compelled their army to
pass under the yoke, and afterwards treacherously destroyed it (150).
Carthage was compelled to give up some of her territory, and pay
$5,000,000 indemnity.

After this victory, matters came to a crisis. The city must be
disciplined for warring with an ally of Rome. Cato never failed to
close any speech he might make in the Senate with the same cruel words,
_Delenda est Carthago_, "Carthage must be destroyed." The people of
Carthage were called to account. Desponding and broken-hearted, they