But the more eager the senate was to pursue the war, the more alarming did they find the state of affairs.
For since Quintus Fulvius Nobilior, their former commander in <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Spain&groupId=983&placeId=1735">Spain</a>, and the members of his force had spread the report in <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Rome&groupId=935&placeId=1669">Rome</a> of the constant succession of pitched battles, the great losses suffered by the Romans and the valour of the Celtiberians,
and as Marcellus was evidently afraid of continuing the war, such an extraordinary panic took hold of the young recruits as their elders said they never remembered before.
This fit of cowardice went so far, that neither did competent officers present themselves as military tribunes, but their posts were not filled, although formerly many more than the required number of qualified officers used to apply,
nor were the legates, nominated by the consuls, who should have accompanied the general, willing to serve;
but the worst of all was that the young men avoided enrolment, finding such excuses as it was disgraceful to allege, unseemly to examine, and impossible to check.
Finally, when both the senate and the magistrates were at a loss to know what would be the end of this shameless conduct on the part of the young men — for so they were compelled by circumstances to describe it —
Publius Cornelius Scipio, who was still young and was thought to have advised the prosecution of the war, having now attained an unquestioned reputation for nobility of conduct and temperance of life,
but being desirous of gaining the like for courage, when he saw the difficulty that faced the senate, rose and asked to be allowed to be sent to <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Spain&groupId=983&placeId=1735">Spain</a> either as tribune or as legate with the consuls; for he was ready to go in either capacity.
Although, he said, as far as concerned himself personally, it was both safer and more agreeable for him to proceed to <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Macedonia&groupId=723&placeId=428">Macedonia</a> —
for at this time he had been specially invited by the Macedonians to go there and settle their domestic quarrels,
yet the voice of their country at this critical time summoned more urgently to <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Spain&groupId=983&placeId=1735">Spain</a> all true devotees of glory.
All were surprised at this offer owing to Scipio's youth and his cautiousness in general, and Scipio became very popular both at the moment and still more on the following days.
For those who previously shirked their duty, ashamed now of being shown up by a comparison of their conduct with his, began some of them to volunteer for the post of legate and the rest to flock in groups to enrol themselves as soldiers.
Walbank Commentary