33.23
A
triumph was unanimously decreed to C. Cethegus. His popularity was still
further enhanced by delegates from Cremona and Placentia, who gratefully
described how he had delivered them from the horrors of a siege, and in the
case of most of those who had fallen into the enemy's hands from actual
slavery. Q. Minucius put his motion merely tentatively, and on finding the
whole senate opposed to him gave out that by virtue of his rights as consul,
and in accordance with the precedent set by many illustrious men, he should
triumph on the Alban Mount. C. Cethegus celebrated his triumph while he
was still in office. Many military standards were carried in the procession,
many spoils in captured wagons and many noble Gauls were led before his
chariot. Some authorities aver that the Carthaginian general Hamilcar was
amongst them. But the eyes of all were turned chiefly to a crowd of colonists
from Cremona and Placentia who followed the consul's chariot wearing the
cap of liberty. The amount of specie carried in the procession was 237,500
ases and 79,000 silver denarii. Each of the soldiers received a bonus of 70
ases and double the amount was given to each centurion and horseman. Q.
Minucius celebrated his victories over the Ligurians and the Boii on the
Alban Mount. Though this triumph was less of a distinction than the other in
respect of the scene and glory of his achievements, and though everybody
was aware that its cost was not defrayed from the public treasury, still it
about equalled it in the number of standards and wagons and spoils. Even the
amount of money almost reached the same figure; there were 254,000 ases
and 53,200 silver denarii. He gave to each of his soldiers the same sums as
his colleague had given
