§37.51.1priusquam in provincias praetores irent, certamen inter P. Licinium pontificem maximum fuit et Q. Fabium Pictorem flaminem Quirinalem, quale patrum memoria inter L. Metellum et Postumium Albinum fuerat.
Before the praetors went to their provinces, a dispute arose between P. Licinius, the pontifex maximus, and Q. Fabius Pictor, the flamen of Quirinus, such as had occurred within the memory of their fathers between L. Metellus and Postumius Albinus.
§37.51.2consulem illum cum C. Lutatio collega in Siciliam ad classem proficiscentem ad sacra retinuerat Metellus, pontifex maximus;
In that former case, Metellus, the pontifex maximus, had detained the consul, who was setting out with his colleague C.
§37.51.3praetorem hunc ne in Sardiniam proficisceretur, P. Licinius tenuit.
Lutatius for the fleet in Sicily, for the sake of the sacred rites; in this case, P. Licinius detained the praetor, preventing him from setting out for Sardinia.
et in senatu et ad populum magnis contentionibus certatum, §37.51.4et imperia inhibita ultro citroque, et pignera capta, et multae dictae, et tribuni appellati, et provocatum ad populum est.
There was a struggle with great contention both in the senate and before the people; orders were mutually vetoed, pledges were seized, fines were imposed, the tribunes were appealed to, and an appeal was made to the people.
§37.51.5religio ad postremum vicit; ut dicto audiens esset flamen pontifici iussus; et multa iussu populi ei remissa.
At last, religious duty triumphed; the flamen was ordered to obey the pontifex; and by order of the people, the fines imposed on him were remitted.
§37.51.6ira provinciae ereptae praetorem magistratu abdicare se conantem patres auctoritate sua deterruerunt et, ut ius inter peregrinos diceret, decreverunt.
Out of anger at having his province snatched away, the praetor attempted to resign his office, but the senators by their authority deterred him and decreed that he should administer justice between foreigners.
§37.51.7dilectibus deinde intra paucos dies — neque enim multi milites legendi erant — perfectis consules praetoresque in provincias proficiscuntur.
Then, the levies having been completed within a few days—for there were not many soldiers to be enlisted—the consuls and praetors set out for their provinces.
§37.51.8fama dein de rebus in Asia gestis temere vulgata sine auctore, et post dies paucos nuntii certi litteraeque imperatoris Romam adlatae, §37.51.9quae non tantum gaudium ab recenti metu attulerunt — desierant enim victum in Aetolia regem metuere — quam a vetere fama, quod ineuntibus id bellum gravis hostis et suis viribus, et quod Hannibalem rectorem militiae haberet, visus fuerat.
Thereupon, a rumor of the achievements in Asia was idly spread without any authority, and a few days later, reliable messengers and letters from the commander were brought to Rome; these brought a joy that arose not so much from recent fear—for they had ceased to fear the king after his defeat in Aetolia—as from his ancient reputation, because at the beginning of that war he had seemed a formidable enemy both in his own resources and because he had Hannibal as a director of his military operations.
§37.51.10nihil tamen aut de consule mittendo in Asiam mutandum aut minuendas eius copias censuerunt metu, ne cum Gallis foret bellandum.
Nevertheless, they decided that nothing should be changed concerning the consul to be sent to Asia, nor his forces diminished, through fear lest they should have to wage war with the Gauls.