36.
To the question that had been put to him the lieutenant replied that neither he nor anyone else could predict what the Celtiberians had or would have in mind. Therefore he could not deny that it was entirely proper that an army should be sent to barbarians who, even though pacified, were not yet well accustomed to authority.
[
2]
But whether it was necessary to employ a new or an old army was for him
[
3??]
to say who could know how loyally the Celtiberians would abide by the peace and who at the same time could assure himself that the soldiers would remain quiet if they were held longer in the province. If inferences could be drawn as to their views either from what they said to one another or from their exclamations while the commander was addressing them, he said that they had openly proclaimed that they would either keep the
[p. 113]commander in the province or go to Italy with him.
1
[
4]
This colloquy between the praetor and the lieutenant was interrupted by a motion by the consuls, who judged it proper that their provinces should be provided for
2 before the question of an army for a praetor was raised.
[
5]
An entire new army was decreed to the consuls, two Roman legions for each, with the appropriate cavalry, and of the allies of the Latin confederacy, as great a number as always, fifteen thousand infantry and eight hundred cavalry.
3
[
6]
With this army they were directed to make war upon the Ligurian Apuani. The
imperium of Publius Cornelius and Marcus Baebius was prolonged, and they were ordered to hold the province until the arrival of the consuls; then it was directed that they discharge the armies which they had and return to Rome.
[
7]
Then the question of an army for Tiberius Sempronius was taken up. The consuls were directed to enlist for him a new legion of fifty-two hundred infantry and four hundred
4 cavalry and in addition a thousand Roman infantry and fifty cavalry, and to levy upon the allies of the Latin confederacy for seven thousand infantry and three hundred cavalry. With this army it was the senate's pleasure that Tiberius Sempronius should go to Nearer Spain.
[
8]
Permission was granted to Quintus Fulvius that those, whether Roman citizens or allies, who had been taken to Spain before the consulship of Spurius Postumius and Quintus Marcius,
5 and, moreover, when the new drafts were added, in consequence of which
[
9??]
addition there were in the two legions more than ten thousand four hundred infantry and six hundred cavalry and of the allies
[p. 115]of the Latin confederacy more than twelve
6 thousand infantry and six hundred cavalry, and specifically those whose valiant services Quintus Fulvius had enjoyed in the two battles with the Celtiberians, that all these,
[
10]
7 if he saw fit, he should bring back with him. Thanksgivings were also decreed because he had conducted the business of the state successfully. The other praetors too
[
13??]
were sent to their provinces. The
imperium of Quintus Fabius Buteo in Gaul was prolonged. It was decided that there should be only eight legions that year in addition to the veteran army which was among the Ligurians in the hope of an early discharge. And even this army was with difficulty raised on account of the pestilence which was
[
14??]
now for the third year devastating the city of Rome and Italy.
8