34.55
At the
beginning of the year of office of the new consuls there were such frequent
reports of the occurrence of earthquakes that men grew tired not only of the
subject itself, but also of the suspension of business which was ordered on
account of it. No meeting of the senate could be held nor any public
proceedings conducted, as the consuls were entirely occupied with sacrifices
and expiations. At last the decemvirs received instructions to consult the
Sacred Books, and in accordance with their injunctions a three days'
intercession was proclaimed. Prayers were offered at all the shrines, the
suppliants wearing laurel wreaths, and a notice was issued requiring all the
members of a family to offer up their prayers together. The senate authorised
the consuls to publish an edict forbidding anyone to report an earthquake on
any day on which business had been suspended on account of one already
reported. After this the consuls balloted for their provinces. Gaul fell to
Cornelius and Liguria to Minucius. The praetors' ballot resulted in C.
Scribonius receiving the City jurisdiction, M. Valerius that over aliens, L.
Cornelius Sicily, L. Porcius Sardinia, C. Flaminius Hither Spain and M.
Fulvius Further Spain.
