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), 31.4

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[1] At the end of this year, when a proposal was made for a distribution of land¹ to the veterans who had brought to an end the war in Africa under² the leadership and auspices of Publius Scipio,³ the Fathers voted that

[2] Marcus Junius, the praetor of the city,⁴ should, if it seemed advisable to him, appoint a board of ten⁵ to survey and assign such lands in Samnium and Apulia⁶ as were the public property of this the Roman people.⁷

[3] The board selected consisted of Publius Servilius, Quintus Caecilius Metellus, Gaius and Marcus Servilius (both having the surname Geminus), Lucius and Aulus Hostilius Cato, Publius Villius Tappulus, Marcus Fulvius Flaccus, Publius Aelius Paetus, and Titus Quinctius Flamininus.

[4] At this time, the consul Publius Aelius holding the elections, Publius Sulpicius Galba and Gaius Aurelius Cotta were chosen consuls, and later Quintus Minucius Rufus, Lucius Furius Purpurio, Quintus Fulvius Gillo, and Gaius Sergius Plautus were elected praetors.

[5] Dramatic performances at the Roman Games⁸ in that year were given with splendour and magnificence by the curule aediles,⁹ Lucius Valerius Flaccus and Lucius Quinctius Flamininus; the performance¹⁰ of two days was renewed;¹¹

[6] a huge quantity of grain, sent from Africa by Publius Scipio, they sold to the populace at four asses a measure, with the most scrupulous fairness and to the great satisfaction of the people.

[7] Also the Plebeian Games, entire, were thrice repeated by the plebeian aediles, Lucius Apustius Fullo and Quintus Minucius Rufus; the latter was chosen praetor at the close of his term as aedile. A banquet to Jupiter¹² was likewise held in connection with the games.

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.) — 31.4 focus

[1] exitu huius anni cum de agris veterum militum relatum esset, qui ductu atque auspicio P. Scipionis in Africa bellum perfecissent, decreverunt patres, ut M. Iunius praetor urbanus,

[2] si ei videretur, decemviros agro Samniti Apuloque, quod eius publicum populi Romani esset, metiendo dividendoque crearet. — creati P. Servilius, Q. Caecilius Metellus, C.

[3] et M. Servilii — Geminis ambobus cognomen erat — , L. et A. Hostilii Catones, P. Villius Tappulus, M. Fulvius Flaccus, P. Aelius Paetus, T. Quinctius Flamininus.

[4] per eos dies P. Aelio consule comitia habente creati consoles consules P. Sulpicius Galba, C. Aurelius Cotta. praetores exinde facti Q. Minucius Rufus, L. Furius Purpurio, Q. Fulvius Gillo, C. Sergius Plautus.

[5] ludi Romani scaenici eo anno magnifice apparateque facti ab aedilibus curulibus L. Valerio Flacco et L. Quinctio Flaminino; biduum instauratum est;

[6] frumentique vim ingentem, quod ex Africa P. Scipio miserat, quaternis aeris populo cum summa fide et gratia diviserunt

[7] et plebeii ludi ter toti instaurati ab aedilibus plebi L. Apustio Fullone et Q. Minucio Rufo, qui ex aedilitate praetor creatus erat. et Iovis epulum fuit ludorum causa.

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).) — 30.4 focus

[1]

cum legatis quos mitteret ad Syphacem calonum loco primos primes ordines spectatae virtutis atque prudentiae servili habitu mittebat,

[2] qui, dum in conloquio legati essent, vagi per castra alius alia aditus exitusque omnes, situm formamque et universorum castrorum et partium, qua Poeni, qua Numidae haberent, ¹ quantum intervalli inter Hasdrubalis ac regia castra esset,

[3] specularentur moremque simul noscerent stationum vigiliarumque, nocte an interdiu opportuniores insidianti ² essent; et inter crebra conloquia alii atque alii de industria, quo pluribus omnia nota essent, mittebantur.

[4] cum saepius agitata res certiorem spem pacis in dies et Syphaci et Carthaginiensibus per eum faceret, legati Romani vetitos se reverti ad imperatorem aiunt, nisi certum responsum detur:

[5] proinde, seu ipsi staret iam sententia, ³ . . . ⁴ seu consulendus Hasdrubal et Carthaginienses essent, consuleret; tempus esse aut pacem componi aut bellum naviter geri.

[6] dum consulitur Hasdrubal ab Syphace, ab ⁵ Hasdrubale Carthaginienses, et speculatores omnia visendi et Scipio ad conparanda ea ⁶ quae in rem erant tempus habuit.

[7] et ex mentione ac spe pacis neglegentia, ut fit, apud Poenos Numidamque ⁷ orta cavendi ne quid hostile interim paterentur.

[8] tandem relatum responsum, quibusdam, quia nimis cupere Romanus pacem videbatur, iniquis per occasionem adiectis, quae peropportune cupienti tollere indutias Scipioni causam praebuere.

[9] ac nuntio regis, cum relaturum se ad consilium dixisset, postero die respondit se uno frustra tendente nulli alii pacem placuisse; renuntiaret igitur nullam aliam spem pacis quam ⁸ relictis Carthaginiensibus Syphaci cum Romanis esse.

[10] ita tollit indutias, ut libera fide incepta exsequeretur; deductisque navibus—et iam veris principium erat— machinas tormentaque, velut a mari adgressurus Uticam,

[11] imponit, et duo milia militum ad capiendum quem antea tenuerat tumulum super Uticam mittit, simul ut ab eo quod parabat in alterius rei curam ⁹ converteret hostium animos,

[12] simul ne qua, cum ipse ad Syphacem Hasdrubalemque profectus esset, eruptio ex urbe et impetus in castra sua relicta cum levi praesidio fieret.

Ab urbe condita libri, erklärt von M. Weissenborn Perseus (Weissenborn, W.; Müller, H. J., editors. Berlin: Weidmannsche Buchhandlung, 1873-1883.) — 31.4 focus

[1]

exitu huius anni cum de agris veterum militum relatum esset, ¹ qui ductu atque auspicio P. Scipionis in Africa bellum perfecissent, decreverunt patres,

[2] ut M. Iunius praetor urbanus, si ei videretur, decemviros agro Samniti Apuloque, quod eius publicum populi Romani esset, metiendo dividendoque crearet.

[3] creati P. Servilius , Q. Caecilius Metellus , C. et M. Servilii —Geminis ambobus cognomen erat—, L. et A. Hostilii Catones, P. Villius Tappulus , M. Fulvius Flaccus , P. Aelius Paetus , T. Quinctius Flamininus .

[4] per eos dies P. Aelio consule comitia habente creati consules P. Sulpicius Galba , C. Aurelius Cotta . praetores exinde facti Q. Minucius Rufus , L. Furius Purpurio , Q. Fulvius Gillo , C. Sergius Plautus .

[5] ludi Romani scaenici eo anno magnifice apparateque facti ab aedilibus curulibus L. Valerio Flacco et L. ² Quinctio Flaminino;

[6] biduum instauratum est; frumentique vim ingentem, quod ex Africa P. Scipio miserat, quaternis aeris populo cum summa fide et gratia diviserunt.

[7] et plebeii ludi ter toti instaurati ab aedilibus plebi L. Apustio Fullone et Q. Minucio Rufo , qui ex aedilitate praetor creatus erat. et Iovis epulum fuit ludorum causa.

Translations (2)

History of Rome Perseus (Spillan, D.; Edmonds, Cyrus; McDevitte, William A., translators. London: Henry G. Bohn, 1849-1868. (Bohn's Classical Library)) — 31.4 focus

[1]

Towards the end of this year the senate, taking into consideration the lands to be given to the veteran soldiers, who, under the conduct and auspices of Publius Scipio, had finished the war in Africa, decreed that

[2] Marcus Tunius, praetor of the city, should, if he thought proper, appoint ten commissioners to survey, and distribute among them, that part of the Samnite and Apulian lands which was the property of the Roman people.

[3] For this purpose were appointed, Publius Servilius, Quintus Caecilius Metellus, Caius and Marcus Servilius, both surnamed Geminus, Lucius and Aulus Hostilius Cato, Publius Villius Tappulus, Marcus Fulvius Flaccus, Publius Aelius Paetus, and Quintus Flaminius.

[4] At the same time, Publius Aelius presiding at the election of consuls, Publius Sulpicius Galba and Caius Aurelius Cotta were elected. Then were chosen praetors, Quintus Minucius Rufus, Lucius Furius Purpureo, Quintus Fulvius Gillo, Cneius Sergius Plancus.

[5] The Roman stage-games were exhibited, in a sumptuous and elegant manner, by the curule aediles, Lucius Valerius Flaccus, and Lucius Quintius Flaminius, and repeated for two days;

[6] and a vast quantity of corn, which Scipio had sent from Africa, was distributed by them to the people, with strict impartiality and general satisfaction, at the rate of four asses a peck.

[7] The plebeian games were thrice repeated entire by the plebeian aediles, Lucius Apustius Fullo, and Quintus Minucius Rufus; the latter of whom was, from the aedileship, elected praetor. There was also a feast of Jove on occasion of the games.

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.) — 31.4 focus

[1]

Towards the close of the year the question was brought up as to the holdings which were to be assigned to the veteran soldiers who had served with Scipio in Africa.

[2] The senator decreed that M. Junius, the City praetor, should at his discretion appoint ten commissioners for the purpose of measuring and allotting that portion of the Samnite and Apulian territory which had become State domain.

[3] The commissioners were P. Servilius, Q. Caecilius Marcellus, the two Servilii, Caius and Marcus-who were known as "The Twins"-the two Hostilii Catones, Lucius and Aulus, P. Villius Tappulus, M. Fulvius Flaccus, P. Aelius Paetus and T. Quinctius Flamininus.

[4] The elections were conducted by the consul P. Aelius. The consuls-elect were P. Sulpicius Galba and C. Aurelius Cotta. The new praetors were Q. Minucius Rufus, L. Furius Purpureo, Q. Fulvius Gillo and C. Sergius Plancus.

[5] The Roman Scenic Games were celebrated this year with unusual splendour by the curule aediles, L. Valerius Flaccus and T. Quinctius Flamininus, and were repeated for a second day. They also distributed to the people with strict impartiality and to the general satisfaction a vast quantity of corn which Scipio had sent from Africa.

[6] It was sold at four ases the modius.

[7] The Plebeian Games were also exhibited on three separate occasions by the aediles L. Apustius Fullo and Q. Minucius Rufus; the latter after serving his aedileship was one of the newly-elected praetors. The Festival of Jupiter was also celebrated.

Notes on the current edition

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

1. At this time only landowners served in the army, but some of these soldiers had been under arms for sixteen years and had lost all their property. This is, according to Livy, the first such measure to aid veterans, but in the later Republic such distributions were common. See also xlix. 5 below.

2. B.C. 201

3. Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus, who had brought the war to a successful conclusion.

4. One of the four praetors was at this time assigned by lot as praetor urbanus, in charge of judicial administration. He ranked next after the consuls and administered affairs in the city in their absence.

5. Such boards usually consisted of three members only. This task seemed especially difficult or important.

6. These districts had revolted to Hannibal, and part of their land was taken from them in punishment.

7. Apparently a fragmentary quotation from the law itself.

8. The ludi Romani, of great antiquity, and the ludi plebeii, dating from the period of the Second Punic War, were celebrated in September and November respectively. In the later Republic each festival lasted two weeks. The object of each was the worship of Jupiter Optimus Maximus, and in his especial honour a banquet was held on the thirteenth of the month. Performances were supervised by the curule and plebeian aediles respectively, the cost being paid by the state, though private funds were contributed in addition, and lavish expenditures of this sort were considered necessary for an aspirant to political distinction. As early as the middle of the fourth century B.C., dramatic performances were added to the other spectacles, at least in the ludi Romani. Since these were religious ceremonies, admission was free.

9. The office of plebeian aedile was created with the tribunate in 494 B.C., and that of curule aedile, reserved to patricians, in 366 B.C. By this time both were open to patricians and plebeians alike. The supervision of the games was one of their chief functions.

10. B.C. 201

11. Religious flaws in the performance, unfavourable omens, and similar occurrences might cause the partial or total repetition of the games. The aediles might also desire to gain increased prestige by expenditures on a grand scale, and so find or manufacture causes for their renewal: this may have been the case on this occasion.

12. See note on

Roman Games

above.

Titus Livius (Livy) Ab urbe condita 31.4

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

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