A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

2. C.PapiriusMaso, C. F. L. N., consul with M. Pomponius Matho in B. C. 231, carried on war against the Corsicans, whom he subdued, though not without considerable loss. The senate refused him a triumph, and he accordingly celebrated one on the Alban mount. It was the first time that this was ever done, and the example thus set was frequently followed by subsequent generals, when they considered themselves entitled to a triumph, but were refused the honour by the senate. It is related of Maso, that he always wore a myrtle crown instead of a laurel one, when he was present at the games of the Circus; and Paulus Diaconus gives as the reason for his doing so, that he conquered the Corsicans in the " Myrtle Plains," Myrtei Campi. (Zonar. 8.18. p. 401; Fasti Capitol.; Plin. Nat. 15.29. s. 38; V. Max. 3.6.5; Paul. Diac. p. 144, ed. Müller) From the booty obtained in Corsica, Maso dedicated a temple of Fons. (Cic. de Nat. Deor. 3.20.) He was one of the pontifices, and died in B. C. 213. (Liv. 25.2.) Maso was the maternal grandfather of Scipio Africanus the younger, his daughter Papiria marrying Aemilius Paullus, the conqueror of Macedonia. (Plut. Aemil. Paull. 5; Plin. i. c.)