Book 9
29.7
revised the senatorial lists and filled up the vacancies, his colleague, thoroughly ashamed of his conduct, resigned. In the obstinate temper which had always marked his house, Appius continued to hold office alone.
29.8
If a censor died or resigned before the legal expiry of this office his colleague as a rule resigned also rather than bear the responsibility of such vast powers alone. It was owing to his action that the Potitii, whose family had always possessed
29.9
the right of ministering at the Ava Maxima of Hercules, transferred that duty to some temple servants, whom they had instructed in the various
29.10
observances. There is a strange tradition connected with this, and one well calculated to create religious scruples in the minds of any who would disturb the established order of ceremonial usages. It is said that though when the change was made there were twelve branches of the family of the PotitiiThey are first introduced to us on p. 10, Vol. I. comprising thirty adults, not one member, old or young, was alive twelve months
29.11
later. Nor was the extinction of the Potitian name the only consequence; Appius himself some years afterwards was struck with blindness by the unforgetting wrath of the gods.
