Titus Livius (Livy), Ab urbe condita, Benjamin Oliver Foster, Ph.D. (Editor), Frank Gardener Moore (Editor), Evan T. Sage, Ph.D. (Editor), Alfred C. Schlesinger, Ph.D. (Editor), 29.11

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

View: By Section

← Previous Next →

[1]

In Asia the Roman people had as yet no allied states. They bore in mind, however, that Aesculapius ¹ also had been summoned once upon a time from Greece on account of an epidemic, while ² there was as yet no treaty of alliance;

[2] that at present on account of a joint war against Philip they had already entered into friendly relations with King Attalus.

[3] Thinking that he would do what he could for the sake of the Roman people, they decided to send ambassadors to him. These were Marcus Valerius Laevinus, who had been twice consul ³ and had held a command in Greece, Marcus Caecilius Metellus, an ex-praetor, Servius Sulpicius Galba, an ex-aedile, and two former quaestors, Gnaeus Tremelius Flaccus and Marcus Valerius Falto.

[4] For them they voted five quinqueremes, ⁴ that in keeping with the dignity of the Roman people they might visit lands where the highest respect for the Roman name was to be won.

[5] The ambassadors on the voyage to Asia made their way up to Delphi and consulted the oracle, enquiring what hope of accomplishing the task for which they had been sent from home it foresaw for themselves and the Roman people.

[6] The response, they say, was that they should gain what they sought with the help of King Attalus; that after conveying the goddess to Rome they were then to make sure that the best man at Rome should hospitably welcome her.

[7] They came to the king at Pergamum. He courteously received the ambassadors and, escorting them to Pessĭnus in Phrygia, ⁵ presented them with the sacred stone ⁶ which the inhabitants said was the Mother of the ⁷ Gods, and bade them carry it away to Rome.

[8] Sent on in advance by the ambassadors, Marcus Valerius Falto brought the news that they were bringing the goddess; they must seek out the best man in the state to receive her with due hospitality.

[9] Quintus Caecilius Metellus was named, by the consul who was in the land of the Bruttians, dictator for the purpose of holding the elections, and Metellus' army was disbanded.

[10] Lucius Veturius Philo was named master of the horse. The elections were held by the dictator.

[11] Marcus Cornelius Cethegus and Publius Sempronius Tuditanus were elected consuls, the latter in his absence, since he had Greece as his province. Then Tiberius Claudius Nero, Marcus Marcius Ralla, Lucius Scribonius Libo, Marcus Pomponius Matho were elected praetors. The elections being completed, the dictator abdicated his office.

[12] The Roman Games were repeated for three of the days, the Plebeian Games for seven. The curule aediles were Gnaeus and Lucius Cornelius Lentulus.

[13] Lucius was in charge of the province of Spain; being elected in absence he was aedile in absence. Tiberius Claudius Asellus and Marcus Iunius Pennus were plebeian aediles. The Temple of Valour ⁸ at the Porta Capena was dedicated that year by Marcus Marcellus, in the seventeenth year after it had been vowed at Clastidium in Gaul by his father in his first consulship.

[14] And the flamen of Mars, Marcus Aemilius Regillus, died that year.

Ab urbe condita. Titus Livius (Livy). Benjamin Oliver Foster, Ph.D. (Editor), Frank Gardener Moore (Editor), Evan T. Sage, Ph.D. (Editor), Alfred C. Schlesinger, Ph.D. (Editor). Medford, MA. .

Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.

Funding provided by The National Endowment for the Humanities.

Current edition Perseus

History of Rome (English) (Foster, Benjamin Oliver; Moore, Frank Gardener; Sage, Evan T.; Schlesinger, Alfred C., translators. Cambridge, Mass.; London: Harvard University Press; William Heinemann, Ltd., 1919-1959. (Loeb Classical Library))

Editions (3)

Ab urbe condita Perseus (Pars I-IV, Libri I-XL. Editio Stereotypica. Weissenborn, Wilhelm; Mueller, Moritz, editors. Leipzig: Teubner, 1884-1911.) — 29.11 focus

[1] nullasdum in Asia socias civitates habebat populus Romanus; tamen memores Aesculapium quoque ex Graecia quondam hauddum ullo foedere sociata valetudinis populi causa arcessitum,

[2] tunc iam cum Attalo rege propter commune adversus Philippum bellum coeptam amicitiam esse, facturum eum, quae posset, populi Romani causa, legatos ad eum decernunt,

[3] M. Valerium Laevinum, qui bis consul fuerat ac res in Graecia gesserat, M. Caecilium Metellum praetorium, Ser. Sulpicium Galbam aedilicium, duos quaestorios, Cn. Tremellium Flaccum et M. Valerium Faltonem.

[4] iis quinque naves quinqueremes, ut ex dignitate populi Romani adirent eas terras, ad quas concilianda maiestas nomini Romano esset, decernunt.

[5] legati Asiam petentes protinus Delphos cum escendissent, oraculum adierunt consulentes, ad quod negotium domo missi essent, perficiendi eius quam sibi spem populoque Romano portenderet.

[6] responsum esse ferunt per Attalum regem compotes eius fore, quod peterent; cum Romam deam devexissent, tum curarent, ut ear, qui vir optimus Romae esset, hospitio acciperet.

[7] Pergamum ad regem venerunt. is legatos comiter acceptos Pessinuntem in Phrygiam deduxit sacrumque iis lapidem, quam matrem deum esse incolae dicebant, tradidit ac deportare Romam iussit.

[8] praemissus ab legatis M. Valerius Falto nuntiavit deam adportari; quaerendum virum optimum in civitate esse, qui eam rite hospitio acciperet.

[9] Q. Caecilius Metellus dictator ab consule in Bruttiis comitiorum causa dictus, exercitusque eius dimissus, magister equitum L. Veturius Philo.

[10] comitia habita per dictatorem. consules facti M. Cornelius Cethegus, P. Sempronius Tuditanus absens, cum provinciam Graeciam haberet.

[11] praetores inde creati Ti. Claudius Nero, M. Marcius Ralla, L. Scribonius Libo, * M. Pomponius Matho. comitiis perfectis dictator sese magistratu abdicavit. ludi Romani ter, plebei septiens instaurati.

[12] curules erant aediles Cn. et L. Cornelii Lentuli; Lucius Hispaniam provinciam habebat; absens creatus absens eum honorem gessit.

[13] Ti. Claudius Asellus et M. Iunius Pennus plebei aediles fuerunt. aedem Virtutis eo anno ad portam Capenam M. Marcellus dedicavit septumo decumo anno, postquam a patre eius primo consulatu vota in Gallia ad Clastidium fuerat.

[14] et flamen Martialis eo anno est mortuus M. Aemilius Regillus.

Ab urbe condita Perseus (Conway, Robert Seymour; Walters, Charles Flamstead; Johnson, Stephen Keymer, editors. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1914-1935. (Oxford Classical Texts)) — 29.11 focus

[1]

nullasdum in Asia socias ciuitates habebat populus Romanus; tamen memores Aesculapium quoque ex Graecia quondam hauddum ullo foedere sociata ualetudinis populi causa arcessitum,

[2] tunc iam cum Attalo rege propter commune aduersus Philippum bellum coeptam amicitiam esse —

[3] facturum eum quae posset populi Romani causa—, legatos ad eum decernunt M. Ualerium Laeuinum qui bis consul fuerat ac res in Graecia gesserat, M. Caecilium Metellum praetorium, Ser. Sulpicium Galbam aedilicium, duos quaestorios Cn. Tremelium Flaccum et M. Ualerium Faltonem .

[4] iis quinque naues quinqueremes ut ex dignitate populi Romani adirent eas terras ad quas concilianda maiestas nomini Romano esset decernunt.

[5] legati Asiam petentes protinus Delphos cum escendissent, oraculum adierunt consulentes ad quod negotium domo missi essent perficiendi eius quam sibi spem populoque Romano portenderet.

[6] responsum esse ferunt per Attalum regem compotes eius fore quod peterent: cum Romam deam deuexissent, tum curarent ut eam qui uir optimus Romae esset hospitio exciperet. Pergamum ad regem uenerunt.

[7] is legatos comiter acceptos Pessinuntem in Phrygiam deduxit sacrumque iis lapidem quam matrem deum esse incolae dicebant tradidit ac deportare Romam iussit.

[8] praemissus ab legatis M. Ualerius Falto nuntiauit deam apportari; quaerendum uirum optimum in ciuitate esse qui eam rite hospitio acciperet.

[9] Q. Caecilius Metellus dictator ab consule in Bruttiis comitiorum causa dictus exercitusque eius dimissus, magister equitum L. Ueturius Philo . comitia per dictatorem habita.

[10] consules facti M. Cornelius Cethegus P. Sempronius Tuditanus absens cum prouinciam Graeciam haberet.

[11] praetores inde creati Ti. Claudius Nero M. Marcius Ralla L. Scribonius Libo M. Pomponius Matho . comitiis peractis dictator sese magistratu abdicauit. ludi Romani ter, plebeii septiens instaurati.

[12] curules erant aediles Cn. et L. Cornelii Lentuli . Lucius Hispaniam prouinciam habebat; absens creatus absens eum honorem gessit.

[13] Ti. Claudius Asellus et M. Iunius Pennus plebeii aediles fuerunt. aedem Uirtutis eo anno ad portam Capenam M. Marcellus dedicauit septimo decimo anno postquam a patre eius primo consulatu uota in Gallia ad Clastidium fuerat.

[14] et flamen Martialis eo anno est mortuus M. Aemilius Regillus .

Ab urbe condita Perseus (Livy in Fourteen Volumes. Foster, Benjamin Oliver; Moore, Frank Gardener; Schlesinger, Alfred C., editors. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press; London: William Heinemann, Ltd., 1919-1959 (printing).) — 29.11 focus

[1]

nullasdum in Asia socias civitates habebat populus Romanus; tamen memores Aesculapium quoque ex Graecia quondam hauddum ullo foedere ¹ sociata valetudinis populi causa arcessitum,

[2] tunc tune iam cum Attalo rege propter commune adversus Philippum bellum coeptam amicitiam esse, facturum eum quae posset populi Romani causa,

[3] legatos ad eum decernunt M. Valerium Laevinum, qui bis consul fuerat ac res in Graecia gesserat, M. Caecilium Metellum praetorium, Ser. Sulpicium² Galbam aedilicium, duos quaestorios, Cn. Tremelium Flaccum et M. Valerium Faltonem.

[4] iis quinque naves quinqueremes, ut ex dignitate populi Romani adirent eas terras ad quas concilianda maiestas nomini Romano esset decernunt.

[5] legati Asiam petentes protinus Delphos cum escendissent, oraculum adierunt consulentes ad quod negotium domo missi essent, perficiendi eius quam sibi spem populoque Romano portenderet.

[6] responsum esse ferunt per Attalum regem compotes eius fore quod peterent; cum Romam deam devexissent, tum curarent ut eam ear qui vir optimus Romae esset hospitio exciperet. ³ Pergamum ad regem venerunt.

[7] is legatos comiter acceptos Pessinuntem in Phrygiam deduxit sacrumque iis lapidem quam matrem deum esse incolae dicebant ⁴ tradidit ac deportare Romam iussit.

[8] praemissus⁵ ab legatis M. Valerius Falto nuntiavit deam adportari; quaerendum virum optimum in civitate esse qui eam ear rite hospitio acciperet.

[9] Q. Caecilius Metellus dictator ab consule in Bruttiis comitiorum causa dictus exercitusque eius dimissus, magister equitum L. Veturius Philo. comitia omitia per dictatorem habita. ⁶

[10] consules facti M. Cornelius Cethegus, P. Sempronius Tuditanus absens,

[11] cum provinciam Graeciam haberet. praetores inde creati Ti. Claudius Nero, M. Marcius Ralla, L. Scribonius Libo, M. Pomponius Matho. comitiis perfectis ⁷ dictator sese magistratu abdicavit. ludi Romani ter, plebei septiens instaurati.

[12] curules erant aediles Cn. et L. Cornelii Lentuli; Lucius Hispaniam provinciam habebat; absens creatus absens eum honorem gessit.

[13] Ti . Claudius Asellus et M. Iunius Pennus plebei aediles fuerunt. aedem Virtutis eo anno ad portam Capenam M. Marcellus dedicavit septumo decumo anno postquam a patre eius primo consulatu vota in Gallia ad Clastidium fuerat.

[14] et flamen Martialis eo anno est mortuus M. Aemilius Regillus.

Translations (2)

History of Rome Perseus (Spillan, D.; Edmonds, Cyrus; McDevitte, William A., translators. London: Henry G. Bohn, 1849-1868. (Bohn's Classical Library)) — 29.11 focus

[1]

As yet the Roman people had none of the states of Asia in alliance with them. Recollecting, however, that formerly Aesculapius, on account of a sickness among the people, was fetched from Greece, which was not then united with them by any treaty;

[2] recollecting, also, that a friendship had already commenced between them and king Attalus, on

[3] account of the war which they waged in common against Philip, and that he would do whatever he could to oblige the Roman people, they resolved to send, as ambassadors to him, Marcus Valerius Laevinus, who had been twice consul, and had carried on operations in Greece; Marcus Caecilius Metellus, who had been praetor; Servius Sulpicius Galba, who had been aedile; and two who had been quaestors, Caius Tremellius Flaccus and Marcus Valerius Falto.

[4] To these five quinqueremes were assigned, in order that, in a manner suitable to the dignity of the Roman people, they might visit those lands where it was important to gain respect for the Roman name.

[5] The ambassadors, on their way to Asia, having landed at Delphi, immediately approached the oracle, inquiring what hopes the deity held out to themselves and the Roman people, of accomplishing the business for which they had been sent from home.

[6] It is said that the answer given was,

that they would obtain what they were seeking by means of king Attalus. When they had conveyed the goddess to Rome, they must take care that the best man at Rome should receive her to his hospitality.

[7] They came to Pergamus to the king, who received the ambassadors graciously, and conducted them to Pessinus in Phrygia, and putting into their hands a sacred

[8] stone, which the inhabitants said was the mother of the gods, bid them convey it to Rome.

[9] Marcus Valerius Falto, who was sent in advance, brought word that the goddess was on her way, and that the most virtuous man in the state must be sought out, who might in due form receive and entertain her. Quintus Caecilius Metellus was nominated dictator for holding the elections, by the consul in Bruttium, and his army was disbanded.

[10] Lucius Veturius Philo was made master of the horse.

[11] The elections were held by the dictator; the consuls elected were Marcus Cornelius Cethegus and Publius Sempronius Tuditanus, who was absent, being engaged in his province of Greece. The praetors were then elected: Titus Claudius Nero, Marcus Marcius Ralla, Lucius Scribonius Libo, Marcus Pomponius Matho.

[12] On the conclusion of the elections, the dictator abdicated his office. The Roman games were repeated thrice, the plebeian seven times.

[13] The curule aediles were Cneius and Lucius Cornelius Lentulus: Lucius had the province of Spain; he was elected in his absence, and was absent while he filled the office. The plebeian aediles were Titus Claudius Asellus and Marcus Junius Pennus. Marcus Marcellus this year dedicated the temple of Virtue at the Porta Capena, in the seventeenth year after it had been vowed by his father during his first consulate at Clastidium in Gaul:

[14] also Marcus Aemilius Regillus, flamen of Mars, died this year.

History of Rome Perseus (Volumes 1-2. Roberts, Canon, Rev, translator. London, New York: J. M. Dent and Sons; E. P. Dutton and Co., 1912.) — 29.11 focus

[1]

Up to that time the Roman people had no allies amongst the communities in Asia. They had not forgotten however, that when they were suffering from a serious epidemic they had sent to fetch Aesculapius from Greece

[2] though they had no treaty with that country, and now that King Attalus had formed a friendly league with them against their common enemy, Philip, they hoped that he would do what he could in the interest of Rome.

[3] Accordingly, they decided to send a mission to him; those selected for the purpose being M. Valerius Laevinus who had been twice consul and had also been in charge of the operations in Greece, M. Caecilius Metellus an ex-praetor, S. Sulpicius Galba, formerly aedile, and two who had been quaestors, Cnaeus Tremellius Flaccus and M. Valerius Falto.

[4] It was arranged that they should sail with five quinqueremes in order that they might present an appearance worthy of the people of Rome when they visited those states which were to be favourably impressed with the greatness of the Roman name.

[5] On their way to Asia the commissioners landed at Delphi, and at once went to consult the oracle and ascertain what hopes it held out to them and their country of accomplishing their task.

[6] The response which they are said to have received was that they would attain their object through King Attalus and when they had conveyed the goddess to Rome they were to take care that the best and noblest men in Rome should accord her a fitting reception.

[7] They went on to the royal residence in Pergamum, and here the king gave them a friendly welcome and conducted them to Pessinus in Phrygia.

[8] He then handed over to them the sacred stone which the natives declared to be "the Mother of the Gods," and bade them carry it to Rome.

[9] M. Valerius Falto was sent on in advance to announce that the goddess was on her way, and that the best and noblest man in Rome must be sought out to receive her with all due honour.

[10] The consul commanding in Bruttium nominated Q. Caecilius Metellus as Dictator to conduct the elections and his army was disbanded; L. Veturius Philo was Master of the Horse.

[11] The new consuls were M. Cornelius Cethegus and P. Sempronius Tuditanus; the latter was elected in his absence as he was commanding in Greece. Then followed the election of praetors, those elected being Tiberius Claudius Nero, M. Marcius Ralla, L. Scribonius Libo and M. Pomponius Matho.

[12] When the elections were over, the Dictator resigned his office. The Roman Games were celebrated three times, the Plebeian Games, seven times. The curule aediles were the two Cornelii, Cnaeus and Lucius.

[13] Lucius was in charge of the province of Spain; he was elected in his absence, and though absent, discharged the duties of his office. Tiberius Claudius Asellus and M. Junius Pennus were the plebeian aediles. The temple of Virtus near the Porta Capena was dedicated by M. Marcellus this year; it had been vowed by his father at Clastidium in Gaul seventeen years previously.

[14] M. Aemilius Regillus, Flamen of Mars, died this year.

Notes on the current edition

Ab Urbe Condita With An English Translation, books 1-10, 21-45, with periochae 11-20

1. Cf. X. xlvii. 7; Periocha 11; Strabo l. c. (cf. n. 1).

2. B.C. 205

3. Cf. XXX. xxiii. 5. One list of the consuls gives Laevinus a first consulship in 220 B.C. ; Chronogr. an. 354 in C.I.L. I. p. 524. He may have been a suffectus in 208 B.C. (end of the year, both consuls being dead; XXVII. xxxiii. 7). In Livy a new man when elected in 211 B.C. ; XXVI. xxii. 12.

4. See XXVIII. xxx. 11 and note. Whatever may have been the arrangement of the oars on a quinquereme, it is clear that these larger vessels were meant to impress all who saw them with the dignitas of the Roman state.

5. The region was still held by the Gallic invaders, but the temple was favoured and adorned by the kings at Pergamum. That Attalus and the legati actually went to Pessĭnus, about 240 miles from his capital, is very unlikely.

6. Probably a meteorite, small enough to be used later as the face of her statue; Arnobius VII. 49; of. VI. 11; Herodian I. 11, 1; Appiaan Hann. 56. Cp. p. 261, n. 2.

7. B.C. 205

8. Cf. Vol. VI. p. 494, note; VII. p. 312 f., notes; Platner- Ashby, Topogr. Dict. 258 f. For the younger Marcellus cf. p. 288, n. 1.

Titus Livius (Livy) Ab urbe condita 29.11

Benjamin Oliver Foster, Ph.D. (Editor), Frank Gardener Moore (Editor), Evan T. Sage, Ph.D. (Editor), Alfred C. Schlesinger, Ph.D. (Editor)

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Current edition Perseus

Notes on the current edition

Stable identifiers