Abstract
In describing Scipio Pius’ suicide (ep. 24.9-11) Seneca contrasts the charachter’s indolent life with the glorious death worthy of his ancestor and of his rank of imperator. Seneca (and Seneca the Elder, his probable source) can be considered the last stage of a tradition well represented in previous authors too: Caesarian and pseudo Caesarian Commentarii and Valerius Maximus almost always portray Scipio acting more or less in accordance with his aristocratic status and institutional dignity of commander in chief.
