A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

30. CORNELIUS SCIPIO SALUTIO, an obscure person, whom Caesar is said to have carried with him in his African campaign, B. C. 46, and to have placed in front of the army, because it was believed that a Scipio would always conquer in Africa, and he had to fight against Metellus Scipio, the general of the Pompeian troops. Others, however, thought that he did it as a kind of joke, to show his contempt of Metellus Scipio. Pliny relates that he was called Salutio from his resemblance to a mimus of this name. Dio Cassius calls him Salatton. (Suet. Caes. 59 ; Plut. Caes. 52 ; D. C. 42.58; Plin. Nat. 7.12, 30.2.)