37.51
Before
the praetors left for their provinces a dispute arose between P. Licinius, the
Pontifex Maximus, and the Flamen Quirinalis, Q. Fabius Pictor. There had
been a similar dispute many years previously between L. Metellus and
Postumius Albinus. Metellus was Pontifex Maximus at the time, and had
prevented Albinus, the newly elected consul, from accompanying his
colleague to the fleet at Sicily. On the present occasion, P. Licinius had
detained the praetor from going to Sardinia and kept him at his sacred
duties. The question was hotly debated both in the senate and in the
Assembly, orders were made on both sides, sureties accepted, fines imposed,
the authority of the tribunes invoked and appeals laid before the Assembly.
At last the claims of religion prevailed and the Flamen was ordered to obey
the Pontiff's direction; the fine imposed upon him was remitted by order of
the people. The praetor was very angry at losing his province and wanted to
resign his office, but the senate exerted their authority to prevent this and
decreed that he should exercise the jurisdiction over aliens. The levies were
now completed in a few days, for there were not many men to be called up,
and the praetors left for their provinces. Unauthorised rumours began to
spread through Rome about the events in Asia, and a few days later definite
information and a despatch from the commander-in-chief reached the City.
The rejoicing at their arrival was not due to the relief from present anxieties -for they had nothing to fear as to what the vanquished king could do in
Aetolia -so much as to his having lost his former prestige; for when they
began the war they looked upon their enemy as formidable both through his
own power and through his having Hannibal to direct the campaign. They
adhered, however, to their decision to send the consul into Asia, and thought
it wise to maintain the present strength of their forces, in view of the
probability of a war with the Gauls.
