27.
In the same year ambassadors from King Attalus deposited on the Capitoline a golden crown of a weight of two hundred forty-six pounds, and expressed to the senate his gratitude because Antiochus, influenced by the authority of the Roman ambassadors, had withdrawn his army from the frontiers of Attalus.
[
2]
During the same summer two hundred cavalry, ten elephants, and two hundred thousand
modii of grain arrived, sent by King Masinissa to the army which was serving in Greece. Also from Sicily and Sardinia great stores of provisions and clothing for the army were sent.
[
3]
Marcus Marcellus was governing Sicily, Marcus Porcius Cato, Sardinia, a man of integrity and uprightness, but considered overharsh in his restraint of usury;
[
4]
the usurers were expelled from the island, and the expenses which the allies were accustomed to incur for the comfort of the praetors were cut down or abolished.
[
5]
When Sextus Aelius the consul had returned from Gaul to hold the elections, he announced that Gaius Cornelius Cethegus and Quintus Minucius Rufus
[p. 239]had been chosen.
[
6]
Two days later the praetorian
1 election was held. This year, for the first time, six praetors were chosen, in consequence of the increase that had taken place in the number of the provinces
2 and the enlargement of the empire;
[
7]
the following were elected: Lucius Manlius Volso, Gaius Sempronius Tuditanus, Marcus Sergius Silus, Marcus Helvius, Marcus Minucius Rufus, and Lucius Atilius (of these, Sempronius and Helvius were plebeian aediles). The curule aediles were Quintus Minucius Thermus and Tiberius Sempronius Longus.
[
8]
The Roman Games were four times repeated that year.