Scipio Aemilianus Africanus, Publius Cornelius, known as Scipio the Younger 185-129BC
Roman general and politician

He was a son of Lucius Aemilius Paullus who conquered Macedon, but was adopted by his kinsman Publius Scipio, son of Scipio Africanus the Elder. He served in Spain under Lucius Lucullus (151BC), and later his distinction as military tribune in the Third Punic War (149-146) attracted attention. He was elected consul in 147 and, although he did not qualify for the office, was given supreme command. Polybius records Scipio's famous Siege of Carthage, which fell and was sacked by Roman troops in 146. In 134 he held a second consulship and defeated the Numantines in a prolonged siege and with subsequent destruction of their city. He subsequently took a leading role in Roman politics in opposition to his brother-in-law Tiberius Gracchus. He died suddenly in 129, perhaps murdered by an adherent of the Gracchi.