32.8
.On
assuming office the new consuls convened the senate in the Capitol, and it
was decreed that the consuls might either arrange between themselves about
the two provinces of Macedonia and Italy, or they might ballot for them. The
one to whom Macedonia fell was to raise 3000 Roman infantry and 300
cavalry in order to bring the legions up to their proper strength, and also
5000 men from the Latins and the allies and 500 cavalry. The army for the
other consul was to be an entirely new one. L. Lentulus, the consul of the
previous year, had his command extended and he received orders not to
leave his province or bring away his veteran army until the consul arrived
with the new legions. The result of the balloting was that Italy fell to Aelius
and Macedonia to Quinctius. Amongst the praetors, L. Cornelius Merula
received the jurisdiction in the City; M. Claudius, Sicily; M. Porcius,
Sardinia, and C. Helvius, Gaul. The enrolment of troops followed, for in
addition to the consular armies the praetors were required to levy forces.
Marcellus enlisted 4000 Latin and allied infantry and 300 cavalry for service
in Sicily, Cato raised 2000 foot and 200 horse of the same class for Sardinia,
so that both these praetors on reaching their provinces might disband the old
cavalry and infantry. When these dispositions were completed, the consuls
introduced a mission from Attalus to the senate. They announced that the
king was assisting Rome with the whole of his military and naval strength
and had up to that day done his utmost to carry out faithfully the behests of
the Roman consuls, but he feared that he would not be at liberty to do this
any longer; Antiochus had invaded his kingdom while it was left defenceless
both by sea and land. He therefore requested the senate, if they wished to
avail themselves of his fleet and his services in the Macedonian war, that
either they themselves would send a force to protect his kingdom, or if they
did not wish to do so, that they would allow him to return home and defend
his dominions with his fleet and the rest of his forces. The senate instructed
the consuls to convey the following reply to the delegates: "The assistance
which King Attalus has given the Roman commanders with his fleet and
other forces has been very gratifying to the senate. They will not themselves
send assistance to Attalus against Antiochus since he is on terms of alliance
and friendship with Rome, nor will they detain the auxiliaries which Attalus
is furnishing longer than suits the king's convenience. When the Romans
have made use of the resources of others they have always left liberty of
action to others. If any wish to render active assistance to the Romans, it
rests with them to take the first step as it does to take the last. The senate
will send envoys to Antiochus to inform him that the Roman people are
making use of Attalus' ships and men against their common enemy, Philip,
and Antiochus will give gratification to the senate if he desists from
hostilities and leaves Attalus' dominions alone. It is only just and right that
monarchs who are allies and friends of Rome should also keep the peace
towards each other."
