[Picture: Sappho] Perseus and his two young sons were taken to Rome, there, according to the Roman fashion, to march in the triumph of the conqueror, namely, the procession in which the general returned home with all his troops.  It was a shame much feared by the conquered princes, and the cruel old rule was that they should be put to death at the close of the march.  Paullus Æmilius was, however, a man of kind temper, and had promised Perseus to spare his life.  The unfortunate king begged to be spared the humiliation of walking in the triumph, but Æmilius could not disappoint the Roman people, and answered that “the favour was in Perseus’ own power,” meaning, since he knew no better, that to die should prevent what was so much dreaded.  Perseus, however, did not take the counsel, but lived in an Italian city for the rest of his life.