40.44
A law
was passed for the first time this year fixing the age at which men could be
candidates for or hold a magistracy. It was introduced by L. Vilius, a tribune
of the plebs, and from this his family received the cognomen of Annalis.
After many years had elapsed, four praetors were elected this year under the
Baebian Law, which laid down the rule that four praetors should be elected
in alternate years. Those elected were Cnaeus Cornelius Scipio, C. Valerius
Laevinus, and two sons of M. Scaevola, Quinctius and Publius. The new
consuls had the same province assigned to them as their predecessors, and
the same number of Roman and allied infantry and cavalry. In the two
Spains, Ti. Sempronius and L. Postumius had their commands extended and
retained their armies. To reinforce them the consuls were instructed to enrol
3000 Roman infantry and 300 cavalry, and 5000 infantry and 400 cavalry
from the Latins and allies. P. Mucius Scaevola received the civic jurisdiction
and was also charged with the investigation into the poisoning cases in the
City and within ten miles of it. Cn. Cornelius Scipio had the alien
jurisdiction; Q. Mucius Scaevola, Sicily; and C. Valerius Laevinus, Sardinia.
Before Q. Fulvius commenced his duties as consul he said that he wished to
discharge the State from the obligation of his vows. He had on the day of his
last battle with the Celtiberi vowed Games to Jupiter Optimus Maximus and
also a temple to Fortuna Equestris, and he had collected money from the
Spaniards for this purpose. A decree was made that the Games should be
celebrated and that two commissioners should be appointed to see to the
construction of the temple. A limit was fixed for the expenditure on the
Games. It was not to exceed the sum which had been decreed for the
celebration of the Games after the Aetolian war by Fulvius Nobilior, and the
consul was forbidden to requisition or levy or accept or do anything in
respect of these Games in contravention of the resolution passed by the
senate during the consulship of L. Aemilius and Cn. Baebius. The senate
made their decree in this form in consequence of the extravagant cost
incurred in the Games exhibited by Ti. Sempronius in his capacity of aedile, a
cost which proved burdensome not only to Italy and the Latin allies, but to
the provinces abroad as well.
