Scipio Returned a Captive to Her Fiancé—and Gave Him Her Ransom as a Wedding Gift

In 209 BC, Roman commander Scipio captured New Carthage in Spain. Among the prisoners was a woman betrothed to a Celtiberian noble named Allucius. According to the Roman historian Livy, Scipio learned about her family and fiancé, then returned her unharmed to her parents and Allucius. Her parents had brought gold to secure her release. Scipio accepted it, then gave the money to Allucius as a wedding present. Allucius later returned with 1,400 cavalrymen to join the Roman army. The gesture showed restraint, but it also won Scipio an ally and a reputation beyond his camp. We often judge leaders by how they act when people are watching. How much does it matter that Scipio behaved this way when he could have acted otherwise? Is there a Nigerian public figure you would trust to do the same with the cameras off?

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