26.35
After
the departure of the Sicilian and Capuan envoys, the enrolment of the new
legions was completed. Then came the question of providing the fleet with
its proper complement of rowers. There was not a sufficient number of men
available, nor was there any money at the time in the treasury with which to
procure them or to pay them. In view of this state of things the consuls
issued an order requiring private individuals to furnish seamen in proportion
to their income and their rank, as they had done on a previous occasion, and
also to supply them with thirty days' provision and pay. This order excited
such a widespread feeling of indignation and resentment that if the people
had had a leader they would have risen in insurrection. The consuls, they
said, after ruining the Sicilians and Capuans, had seized upon the Roman
plebs as their next victim to mangle and destroy. "After being drained by the
war-tax," they complained, "for so many years, we have nothing left but the
bare and wasted soil. Our houses have been burnt by the enemy, our slaves
who tilled our fields have been appropriated by the State, first buying them
for a few coppers to make soldiers of them, and now requisitioning them for
seamen. Whatever silver or gold we had has been taken to pay the rowers
and furnish the annual war-tax. No resort to force, no exercise of authority
can compel us to give what we do not possess. Let the consuls sell our
goods, then let them glut their rage on our bodies which are all we have left;
nothing remains with which we can even ransom ourselves." Language of
this kind was used not only in private conversation, but openly in the Forum,
before the very eyes of the consuls. A vast crowd had gathered round the
tribunal, uttering angry cries, and the consuls were powerless to allay the
agitation either by fair speeches or by threats. Ultimately they announced
that they would give them three days to think the matter over, and they
themselves devoted that time to seeing whether they could not find some
way out of the difficulty. The next day they called the senate together to
consider the matter, and many arguments were advanced to prove that the
plebs were acting fairly and reasonably in their protest. At last the discussion
came round to this point, that whether fair or unfair the burden must fall on
the individual citizens. From what source, it was asked, could they procure
seamen and sailors, when there was no money in the treasury, and how could
they keep their hold on Sicily, or render the shores of Italy safe against any
attempt by Philip, if they had no fleet?