§30.17.1multis ante diebus Laelius cum Syphace primoribusque Numidarum captivis Romam venit, quaeque in Africa gesta essent, omnia ordine exposuit patribus, ingenti hominum et in praesens laetitia et in futurum spe.
Many days before, Laelius arrived in Rome with Syphax and the leading captive Numidians, and set before the senators in order everything that had been done in Africa, to the great joy of the people for the present and their great hope for the future.
§30.17.2consulti inde patres regem in custodiam Albam mittendum censuerunt, Laelium retinendum, donec legati Carthaginienses venirent.
Thereupon, the senators, having been consulted, decreed that the king should be sent to Alba into custody, and that Laelius should be retained until the Carthaginian envoys should arrive.
§30.17.3supplicatio in quadriduum decreta est.
A thanksgiving for four days was decreed.
P. Aelius praetor senatu misso et contione inde advocata cum C. Laelio in rostra escendit.
The praetor Publius Aelius, having dismissed the senate and then summoned an assembly, ascended the rostra with Gaius Laelius.
§30.17.4ibi vero audientes fusos Carthaginiensium exercitus, devictum et captum ingentis nominis regem, Numidiam omnem egregia victoria peragratam, §30.17.5tacitum continere gaudium non poterant, quin clamoribus quibusque aliis multitudo solet laetitiam inmodicam significarent.
There indeed, hearing that the armies of the Carthaginians had been routed, that a king of great renown had been conquered and captured, and that all Numidia had been traversed by an illustrious victory, they could not contain their joy in silence, without expressing their immoderate gladness by shouts and all other means which the multitude is accustomed to use.
§30.17.6itaque praetor extemplo edixit, uti aeditui aedes sacras omnes tota urbe aperirent, circumeundi salutandique deos agendique grates per totum diem populo potestas fieret.
Therefore, the praetor immediately issued an edict that the temple keepers should open all the sacred buildings throughout the city, and that the people should have the opportunity throughout the entire day to go around, worship the gods, and render thanks.
§30.17.7postero die legatos Masinissae in senatum introduxit.
On the following day, he introduced the envoys of Masinissa into the senate.
gratulati primum senatui sunt, quod P. Scipio prospere res in Africa gessisset; §30.17.8deinde gratias egerunt, quod Masinissam non appellasset modo regem, sed fecisset restituendo in paternum regnum, in quo post Syphacem sublatum, si ita patribus visum esset, sine metu et certamine esset regnaturus, §30.17.9dein conlaudatum pro contione amplissimis decorasset donis, quibus ne indignus esset, et dedisse operam Masinissam et porro daturum esse.
They first congratulated the senate because Publius Scipio had conducted affairs successfully in Africa; then they returned thanks because he had not only called Masinissa king, but had made him such by restoring him to his paternal kingdom, in which, after the removal of Syphax, if it should seem good to the senators, he was destined to reign without fear and conflict; and further because he had honored him, after praising him before the assembly, with most ample gifts, to be not unworthy of which Masinissa had both exerted himself and would continue to do so in the future.
§30.17.10petere, ut regium nomen ceteraque Scipionis beneficia et munera senatus decreto confirmaret; §30.17.11et, nisi molestum esset, illud quoque petere Masinissam, ut Numidas captivos, qui Romae in custodia essent, remitterent; id sibi amplum apud populares futurum esse.
They requested that the senate, by its decree, should confirm the royal title and the other benefits and gifts of Scipio; and, if it were not troublesome, Masinissa requested this also, that they would send back the captive Numidians who were in custody at Rome; this would be a source of high prestige for him among his countrymen.
§30.17.12ad ea responsum legatis: rerum gestarum prospere in Africa communem sibi cum rege gratulationem esse; Scipionem recte atque ordine videri fecisse, quod eum regem appellaverit, et quidquid aliud fecerit, quod cordi foret Masinissae, ea patres comprobare ac laudare.
To these things, it was answered to the envoys: that the congratulation for the affairs successfully conducted in Africa was shared by them with the king; that Scipio seemed to have acted rightly and in order in calling him king, and whatever else he had done that was pleasing to Masinissa, the senators approved and praised.
§30.17.13munera, quae legati ferrent regi, decreverunt sagula purpurea duo cum fibulis aureis singulis et lato clavo tunicis, equos duo phaleratos, bina equestria arma cum loricis, et tabernacula militaremque supellectilem, qualem praeberi consuli mos esset.
They decreed gifts which the envoys might carry to the king: two purple cloaks with single golden fibulae, and tunics with the broad stripe, two horses equipped with trappings, two sets of cavalry armor with breastplates, and tents and military furniture of such a kind as it was customary to be provided for a consul.
§30.17.14haec regi praetor mittere iussus.
The praetor was ordered to send these to the king.
legatis in singulos dona ne minus quinum milium, comitibus eorum milium aeris, et vestimenta bina legatis, singula comitibus Numidisque, qui ex custodia emissi redderentur regi; ad hoc aedes liberae, loca, lautia legatis decreta.
For the envoys, gifts of not less than five thousand asses each, for their attendants a thousand asses of bronze each, and two changes of clothing for the envoys, one each for the attendants and the Numidians who, being released from custody, were to be restored to the king; in addition to this, free lodgings, places, and hospitality were decreed for the envoys.