44.17
It was
now near the end of the year and as men's thoughts were mainly preoccupied
with the Macedonian war, there was much discussion as to whom they were
to choose as consuls for the year to bring the war to a close. The senate
accordingly passed a resolution that Cneius Servilius should come to hold
the elections as soon as possible. The praetor Sulpicius forwarded the
resolution to the consul and a despatch was received from him a few days
later which he read to the senate, in which he said that he would come to the
City on . . . The consul arrived in good time and the elections were held on
the day fixed. The new consuls were L. Aemilius Paulus for the second time,
fourteen years after his first consulship, and C. Licinius Crassus. The election
of praetors followed. Anxiety about the Macedonian war stimulated the
senate to expedite all their business. They desired the consuls designate to
ballot for their provinces immediately, so that as soon as it was known to
which consul Macedonia was allotted, and which praetor was to command
the fleet, they might at once form their plans and make every preparation for
the war, and in case the necessity arose, refer any question to the senate.
When they had entered upon office, the magistrates were to celebrate the
Latin Festival at the earliest date which the religious observances connected
with it allowed, in order that nothing might detain the consul who was to go
to Macedonia. Macedonia fell to Aemilius, the other consular province was
Italy and that fell to Licinius. The praetors' provinces were assigned as
follows: Cn. Baebius received the civic and L. Anicius the alien jurisdiction;
the latter was to be at the disposal of the senate for any special service. Cn.
Octavius took the command of the fleet, P. Fonteius went to Spain, M.
Aebutius to Sicily, and C. Papirius to Sardinia.
