Titus Livius (Livy), The History of Rome, Book 8
Rev. Canon Roberts, Ed.

17. The new consuls, after taking over the army from their predecessors, entered the enemy's territory and carried their depredations up to the walls of their city. [2] The Sidicines had got together an immense army, and were evidently prepared to fight desperately for their last hope; there was also a report that Samnium was being roused into hostilities. [3] A Dictator was accordingly nominated by the consuls on the resolution of the senate —P. Cornelius Rufinus; the Master of the Horse was M. Antonius. [4] Subsequently a religious difficulty arose through an informality in their nomination, and they resigned their posts. In consequence of a pestilence which followed, it seemed as though all the auspices were tainted by that informality, and matters reverted to an interregnum. [5] There were five interreges and under the last one, M. Valerius Corvus, the consuls elected were C. Cornelius (for the second time) and Cn. Domitius.

[6] Matters were now quiet, but a rumour of a Gaulish war created as much alarm as an actual invasion, and it was decided that a Dictator should be appointed. M. Papirius Crassus was nominated, his Master of the Horse being P. Valerius Publicola. [7] Whilst they were raising a stronger levy than was usual in wars near at hand, the reconnoitring parties that had been sent out reported that all was quiet amongst the Gauls.

[8] For the last two years there had been suspicions of a move ment in Samnium in favour of a change of policy, and as a measure of precaution the Roman army was not withdrawn from the Sidicine territory. [9] The landing of Alexander of Epirus near Paestum led the Samnites to make common cause with the Lucanians, but their united forces were defeated by turn in a pitched battle. [10] He then established friendly relations with Rome, but it is very doubtful how far he would have maintained them had his other enterprises been equally successful.

[11] In this year a census was taken, the censors being Q. Publilius Philo and Sp. Postumius. The new citizens were assessed and formed into two additional tribes, the Maecian and the Scaptian. [12] L. Papirius, the praetor, secured the passage of a law by which the rights of citizenship without the franchise were conferred on the inhabitants of Acerrae.

These were the military and civil transactions for the year.