36.39
It was
about this time that M. Fulvius Nobilior entered the City in ovation after his
return from Further Spain. He brought over 10,000 pounds of silver, 13,000
silver denarii and 127 pounds of gold. After receiving the hostages from the
Boii, P. C. Scipio by way of punishment mulcted them of nearly half their
territory in order that the Roman people might if they chose settle colonists
on it. When on the point of departure to celebrate, as he confidently
expected, his triumph, he disbanded his army with orders to be in Rome by
the day of triumph. The day following his arrival the senate met in the temple
of Bellona and after he had given a full account of his campaign he requested
to be allowed to make a triumphal entry into the City. One of the tribunes of
the plebs, P. Sempronius Blaesus, was of opinion that though the honour of
a triumph ought not to be refused altogether it ought to be delayed. The
wars with the Ligurians, he said, were always closely connected with those
against the Gauls, for these nations being neighbours rendered each other
mutual help. If after his decisive defeat of the Boii Scipio had either crossed
the Ligurian frontiers with his army or sent a part of his force to the
assistance of Q. Minucius, who had now been detained there three years by
an indecisive war, the Ligurian resistance might have been completely
broken. In order to swell his triumph he had now brought back soldiers who
could have rendered invaluable service to the commonwealth and could do
so still if the senate would agree to make good what he in his haste to enjoy
a triumph had left undone by delaying that triumph. He should be ordered to
return with his legions to his province and see that the Ligurians were
thoroughly subdued; unless they were brought under the dominion of Rome
the Boii would be in a constant state of unrest; whether it be peace or war it
must be with both of them together. When he has reduced the Boii to
submission P. Cornelius will enjoy his triumph a few months hence like many
before him who did not celebrate their triumph during their year of office.
