32.28
The
first business before the new consuls was the settlement of the provinces
both praetorian and consular. As the praetors' spheres of administration
could be determined by ballot they were the first to be dealt with. The City
jurisdiction fell to Sergius, the alien jurisdiction to Minucius; Atilius drew
Sardinia; Manlius, Sicily; Sempronius, Hither Spain; and Helvius, Further
Spain. Whilst the consuls were arranging to ballot for Italy and Macedonia,
two of the tribunes of the plebs, L. Oppius and Q. Fulvius, objected to their
doing so. Macedonia, they alleged, was a distant province, and nothing up to
that time had stood in the way of a successful war more than the fact that
when operations had hardly commenced the former consul was always
recalled just as he was opening his campaign. This was the fourth year since
war had been declared against Macedonia. Sempronius had spent most of the
year in trying to find the king and his army. Villius had actually come into
touch with the enemy but was recalled before any decisive action had been
fought. Quinctius had been detained in Rome for the greater part of the year
by matters connected with religion, but had he reached his province earlier
or had the winter begun later his conduct of affairs showed that he could
have brought the war to a close. He had now almost gone into winter
quarters, but it was asserted that he had given such a complexion to the war
that if his successor did not interfere with him he would finish it in the
summer. By using language of this kind they so far succeeded that the
consuls promised to accept the decision of the senate if the tribunes would
do the same. As both parties left the senate free to act, a decree was made
that Italy should be administered by both consuls and T. Quinctius confirmed
in his command until such time as the senate should appoint his successor.
Each of the consuls had two legions assigned to him, and with these they
were to carry on the war against the Cis-Alpine Gauls who had revolted
from Rome. Reinforcements were also voted for Quinctius to be employed
against Macedonia, comprising 6000 foot and 300 horse and also 3000
seamen. L. Q. Flamininus retained his place as commander of the fleet. Each
of the praetors who were to act in Spain received 8000 infantry furnished by
the Latins and allies and 400 cavalry; these were to take the place of the old
army which was to be sent home. They were also to determine the
boundaries of the two provinces of Hither and Further Spain. P. Sulpicius
and P. Villius who had formerly been in Macedonia as consuls were
appointed to Quinctius' staff.
