34.44
In the
previous year a Sacred Spring had been observed, and the Pontifex Maximus
P. Licinius reported to the pontifical college that its observance had not been
properly carried out. The college authorised him to bring the matter to the
notice of the senate, and they decided that there should be an entirely fresh
observance under the direction of the pontiffs. The Great Games, which had
been vowed at the same time, were also ordered to be celebrated, and the
usual outlay incurred upon them. The victims to be offered included all the
cattle born between 1st March and 1st May during the consulship of P.
Cornelius and Tiberius Sempronius. Then came the election of the censors.
The new censors, Sextus Aelius Paetus and C. Cornelius Cethegus, selected,
as their predecessors had done, P. Scipio as leader of the senate. Only three
senators in all were removed from the roll, none of whom had enjoyed curule
honours. Another thing which added immensely to their popularity with the
patricians was the order they issued to the curule aediles, requiring them to
reserve special places for the senators at the Roman Games; previously they
sat amongst the crowd. Very few of the equestrian order were deprived of
their horses, nor did the censors treat any order in the State harshly. The Hall
of Liberty and the Villa Publica were also restored and enlarged by these
censors. The Sacred Spring and the Games, vowed by Servius Sulpicius
Galba, were duly carried out. Q. Pleminius, who for his many crimes against
gods and men at Locri had been thrown into prison, seized the opportunity
whilst all were preoccupied with the spectacle of the Games to get together
a number of men who were to set the City on fire at various points during
the night so that he might break out of gaol during the confusion created.
The plot was disclosed by some of his accomplices and the information laid
before the senate. Pleminius was thrown into the lowest dungeon and put to
death.
