23.23
Accompanied by his lictors, Fabius
mounted the rostra and made the following speech: "I do not approve of
there being two Dictators at the same time, a thing wholly unprecedented,
nor of there being a Dictator without a Master of the Horse, nor of the
censorial powers being entrusted to one individual and that for the second
time, nor of the supreme authority being placed in the hands of a Dictator for
six months unless he has been created to wield executive powers. These
irregularities may perhaps be necessary at this juncture, but I shall fix a limit
to them. I shall not remove from the roll any of those whom C. Flaminius
and L. Aemilius, the last censors, placed on it, I shall simply order their
names to be transcribed and read out, as I do not choose to allow the power
of judging and deciding upon the reputation or character of a senator to rest
with any single individual. I shall fill up the places of those who are dead in
such a way as to make it clear that preference is given to rank and not to
persons." After the names of the old senate had been read out, Fabius began
his selection. The first chosen were men who, subsequent to the censorship
of L. Aemilius and C. Flaminius, had filled a curule office, but were not yet
in the senate, and they were taken according to the order of their previous
appointments. They were followed by those who had been aediles, tribunes
of the plebs, or quaestors. Last of all came those who had not held office,
but had the spoils of an enemy set up in their houses or had received a "civic
crown." In this way names were added to the senatorial roll, amidst general
approbation. Having completed his task he at once laid down his
Dictatorship and descended from the rostra as a private citizen. He ordered
the lictors to cease their attendance and mingled with the throng of citizens
who were transacting their private business, deliberately idling his time away
in order that he might not take the people out of the Forum to escort him
home. The public interest in him, however, did not slacken through their
having to wait, and a large crowd escorted him to his house. The following
night the consul made his way back to the army, without letting the senate
know, as he did not want to be detained in the City for the elections.
