29.11
Up to
that time the Roman people had no allies amongst the communities in Asia.
They had not forgotten however, that when they were suffering from a
serious epidemic they had sent to fetch Aesculapius from Greece though
they had no treaty with that country, and now that King Attalus had formed
a friendly league with them against their common enemy, Philip, they hoped
that he would do what he could in the interest of Rome. Accordingly, they
decided to send a mission to him; those selected for the purpose being M.
Valerius Laevinus who had been twice consul and had also been in charge of
the operations in Greece, M. Caecilius Metellus an ex-praetor, S. Sulpicius
Galba, formerly aedile, and two who had been quaestors, Cnaeus Tremellius
Flaccus and M. Valerius Falto. It was arranged that they should sail with five
quinqueremes in order that they might present an appearance worthy of the
people of Rome when they visited those states which were to be favourably
impressed with the greatness of the Roman name. On their way to Asia the
commissioners landed at Delphi, and at once went to consult the oracle and
ascertain what hopes it held out to them and their country of accomplishing
their task. The response which they are said to have received was that they
would attain their object through King Attalus and when they had conveyed
the goddess to Rome they were to take care that the best and noblest men in
Rome should accord her a fitting reception. They went on to the royal
residence in Pergamum, and here the king gave them a friendly welcome and
conducted them to Pessinus in Phrygia. He then handed over to them the
sacred stone which the natives declared to be "the Mother of the Gods," and
bade them carry it to Rome. M. Valerius Falto was sent on in advance to
announce that the goddess was on her way, and that the best and noblest
man in Rome must be sought out to receive her with all due honour. The
consul commanding in Bruttium nominated Q. Caecilius Metellus as Dictator
to conduct the elections and his army was disbanded; L. Veturius Philo was
Master of the Horse. The new consuls were M. Cornelius Cethegus and P.
Sempronius Tuditanus; the latter was elected in his absence as he was
commanding in Greece. Then followed the election of praetors, those elected
being Tiberius Claudius Nero, M. Marcius Ralla, L. Scribonius Libo and M.
Pomponius Matho. When the elections were over, the Dictator resigned his
office. The Roman Games were celebrated three times, the Plebeian Games,
seven times. The curule aediles were the two Cornelii, Cnaeus and Lucius.
Lucius was in charge of the province of Spain; he was elected in his absence,
and though absent, discharged the duties of his office. Tiberius Claudius
Asellus and M. Junius Pennus were the plebeian aediles. The temple of
Virtus near the Porta Capena was dedicated by M. Marcellus this year; it had
been vowed by his father at Clastidium in Gaul seventeen years previously.
M. Aemilius Regillus, Flamen of Mars, died this year.
