Book 10
13.13
I ask you to elect as my fellow-consul, P. Decius, a man whom I have found to work with me in perfect harmony, a man who is worthy of your confidence, worthy of his illustrious sire.” He spoke while the voting was still going on; probably only the centuria praerogativa had voted so far. The order in which the centuries were called up to vote was decided by lot, and the first was called the “prerogative century.” The decision by lot, which played such a large part in the political administration, was regarded as the work of the gods, and therefore the vote of the prerogative century had often a determining influence on the result of the election.
13.14
The recommendation was felt to be well deserved, and all the centuries which had not yet voted elected Q. Fabius and P. Decius consuls. During the year a large number of people were prosecuted by the aediles for occupying more than the legal quantity of land. Hardly one could clear himself from the charge, and a very strong curb was placed upon inordinate covetousness.
14.1
TheBattle near Tifernum. consuls were busy with their arrangements for the campaign, deciding which of them should deal with the Etruscans, and which with the Samnites, what troops they would each require, which field of
14.2
operations each was best fitted for, when envoys arrived from Sutrium, Nepete, and Falerii bringing definite information that the local assemblies of Etruria were being convened to decide upon a peace policy.
