§34.54.1P. Scipio ex provincia Gallia ad consules subrogandos venit.
Publius Scipio came from the province of Gallia to hold the elections for succeeding consuls.
comitia consulum fuere, quibus creati sunt L. Cornelius Merula et Q. Minucius Thermus.
The consular elections were held, in which Lucius Cornelius Merula and Quintus Minucius Thermus were elected.
§34.54.2postero 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.
§34.54.3Megalesia 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.
§34.54.4horum aedilium ludos Romanos primum senatus a populo secretus spectavit, praebuitque sermones, sicut omnis novitas solet, aliis tandem, quod multo ante debuerit, tributum existimantibus amplissimo ordini, §34.54.5aliis demptum ex dignitate populi, quidquid maiestati patrum adiectum esset, interpretantibus et omnia discrimina talia, quibus ordines discernerentur, et concordiae et libertatis aequae minuendae esse.
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.
§34.54.6ad 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?
§34.54.7cur 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.
§34.54.8postremo ipsum quoque Africanum, quod consul auctor eius rei fuisset, paenituisse ferunt.
Finally, they say that Africanus himself also regretted that, as consul, he had been the promoter of this measure.
adeo nihil motum ex antiquo probabile est; veteribus, nisi quae usus evidenter arguit, stari malunt.
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.