- Source
- Titi Livi ab urbe condita libri editionem priman, Pars I-IV, Libri I-XL. Editio Stereotypica. Weissenborn, Wilhelm; Mueller, Moritz, editors. Leipzig: Teubner, 1884-1911.
- Translation
- AI-generated (gemini-3.5-flash) — machine translation; may contain errors
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- CTS URN
- urn:cts:latinLit:phi0914.phi001.humanitext-lat2:34.54.1-34.54.8
- Generated
- Humanitext Reader · reader.humanitext.ai · 2026-11-08
Scipio returns to Rome for the elections, where new consuls and praetors are chosen. Additionally, at the games hosted by the aediles, the senate's seating is separated from the general public for the first time, sparking a debate for and against this departure from tradition.
P. Scipio ex provincia Gallia ad consules subrogandos venit. comitia consulum fuere, quibus creati sunt L. Cornelius Merula et Q. Minucius Thermus.
Publius Scipio came from the province of Gallia to hold the elections for succeeding consuls. The consular elections were held, in which Lucius Cornelius Merula and Quintus Minucius Thermus were elected.
postero die creati sunt praetores L. Cornelius Scipio, M. Fulvius Nobilior, C. Scribonius, M. Valerius Messala, L. Porcius Licinus et C. Flaminius.
On the following day, the praetors were elected: Lucius Cornelius Scipio, Marcus Fulvius Nobilior, Gaius Scribonius, Marcus Valerius Messala, Lucius Porcius Licinus, and Gaius Flaminius.
Megalesia ludos scaenicos A. Atilius Serranus, L. Scribonius Libo aediles curules primi fecerunt.
The curule aediles Aulus Atilius Serranus and Lucius Scribonius Libo were the first to present theatrical performances at the Megalesia.
horum aedilium ludos Romanos primum senatus a populo secretus spectavit, praebuitque sermones, sicut omnis novitas solet, aliis tandem, quod multo ante debuerit, tributum existimantibus1 amplissimo ordini, aliis demptum ex dignitate populi, quidquid maiestati patrum adiectum esset, interpretantibus et omnia discrimina talia, quibus ordines discernerentur, et concordiae et libertatis aequae minuendae esse.2
At the Roman Games of these aediles, for the first time, the senate watched separated from the people, and this gave rise to discussions, as every novelty is wont to do, some thinking that this tribute had at last been paid to the most illustrious order, which ought to have been done much earlier, others interpreting that whatever was added to the majesty of the senators was taken away from the dignity of the people, and that all such distinctions, by which the classes were separated, tended to diminish both harmony and equal liberty.
ad quingentesimum quinquagesimum octavum annum in promiscuo spectatum esse; quid repente factum, cur immisceri sibi in cavea patres plebem nollent?
They argued that for five hundred and fifty-eight years the games had been watched in common; why was this sudden change made? Why did the patricians refuse to have the plebs mingled with them in the auditorium?
cur dives pauperem consessorem fastidiret? novam, superbam libidinem, ab nullius ante gentis senatu neque desideratam neque institutam.
Why did the rich man disdain a poor man as a fellow spectator? This was a new and arrogant whim, neither desired nor established by the senate of any nation before.
postremo ipsum quoque Africanum, quod consul auctor eius rei fuisset, paenituisse ferunt. adeo nihil motum ex antiquo probabile est; veteribus, nisi quae usus evidenter arguit, stari malunt.3
Finally, they say that Africanus himself also regretted that, as consul, he had been the promoter of this measure. So true is it that no change from ancient custom is approved; men prefer to stand by the old ways, unless experience clearly refutes them.
- 34.54.4aliis... existimantibus
The word 'aliis' can be interpreted either as a dative dependent on the verbal phrase 'praebuit sermones' ('provided talk to some...'), or as an ablative absolute ('some thinking...'). Together with the subsequent 'aliis... interpretantibus', it contrastingly describes the divided public opinion among the citizens regarding the new measure of separating the senate's seating.
- 34.54.5concordiae et libertatis aequae minuendae esse
'minuendae' is the genitive of the gerundive. Used with 'esse', it is a predicate genitive of property, tendency, or purpose, meaning 'tended to diminish' or 'were of a nature to impair harmony and equal liberty'.
- 34.54.8veteribus... stari malunt
'stari' is the impersonal passive infinitive of the intransitive verb 'stare' (to stand by, persist in). 'veteribus' is the ablative neuter plural meaning 'old ways', serving as the complement of 'stare' ('that old ways should be stood by'). This infinitive phrase functions as the object of 'malunt' ('they prefer that old ways be maintained'). This is a characteristic Latin impersonal passive construction.