43.11
These
and other unsuccessful operations in Macedonia were ascertained from
Sextus Digitius, a military tribune who had come to Rome to offer sacrifices.
The senators were afraid that still deeper humiliation might be incurred, and
they sent M. Fulvius Flaccus and M. Caninius Rebilus into Macedonia to find
out what was going on and to report. The consul A. Atilius was requested to
give notice that the consular elections would be held in January, and to
return to the City as soon as he possibly could. In the meantime, M. Raecius
was instructed to recall all the senators in Italy to Rome, except those on
business of the State, and to prohibit any who were in Rome from going
more than a mile from the City. All these measures were carried out. The
consular elections were held on January 28, the new consuls being Q.
Marcius Philippus, for the second time, and Cnaeus Servilius Caepio, and
two days later the following praetors were elected: C. Decimius, M.
Claudius Marcellus, C. Sulpicius Gallus, C. Marcius Figulus, Ser. Cornelius
Lentulus, and P. Fonteius Capito. Four provinces in addition to the civic
jurisdiction were assigned to them, viz. Spain, Sardinia, Sicily, and the
command of the fleet.
Towards the end of February the commission returned from
Macedonia. They described the successes which Perseus had gained and the
serious alarm felt by the allies of Rome at so many cities being secured by
the king. The consul's army was much reduced in numbers owing to the
indiscriminate granting of furloughs in order to curry favour with the
soldiers, the consul threw the blame for this on the military tribunes, the
military tribunes threw it back on the consul. The senate were given to
understand that they made light of Claudius' ignominious defeat; amongst
those lost, it was explained, were very few Italian troops, they were mostly
those who had been conscripted for the irregular force. As soon as the new
consuls entered upon office they were instructed to bring up the question of
Macedonia; Macedonia and Italy were assigned as their provinces. This year
(B.C. 170) was an intercalary one, the additional days being intercalated two
days after the Terminalia. During its course some members of the priesthood
died, L. Flamininus . . . Two of the pontiffs passed away, L. Furius Philus
and C. Livius Salinator. The pontiffs elected T. Manlius Torquatus in place
of Furius and M. Servilius in place of Livius.