Book XLVI.
King Eumenes came to Rome. [Y.R. 586. B.C. 166.] A general law was introduced, that no
king should be permitted to come to Rome, in order that he might not appear to be declared
an enemy, if he were excluded; nor yet justified, if he were admitted—because
[p. 2175] he had remained neutral in the Macedonian war. The consul,
Claudius Marcellus, subdued the Alpine Gauls; and Caius Sulpicius Gallus the Ligurians.
[Y.R. 587. B.C. 165.] The ambassadors of king Prusias complain of Eumenes, for ravaging
their borders; they accuse him of entering into a conspiracy, with Antiochus, against the
Romans. A treaty of friendship was made with the Rhodians, upon their solicitation. [Y.R.
588. B.C. 164.] A census was held by the censors; the number of the citizens was found to
be three hundred and twenty-seven thousand and twenty-two. Marcus Aemilius Lepidus was
chosen chief of the senate. Ptolemy, king of Egypt, being dethroned by his younger
brother, was restored by ambassadors sent from Rome. [Y.R. 589. B.C. 163.] Ariarathes,
king of Cappadocia, died, and was succeeded by his son Ariarathes, who entered anew into a
treaty of friendship with the Romans. [Y.R. 590. B.C. 162.] Expeditions against the
Ligurians, Corsicans, and Lusitanians, were attended with various success. Commotions took
place in Syria, on occasion of the death of Antiochus, who had left a son, an infant;
Demetrius, the son of Seleucus, who had been a hostage at Rome, secretly murders this
young Antiochus, with his tutor Lysias, because he was not dismissed by the Romans, and
usurps the kingdom. [Y.R. 591. B.C. 161.] Lucius Aemilius Paullus, the conqueror of
Perseus, died. Such was the moderation and integrity of this great commander, that,
notwithstanding the immense treasures he had brought from Spain and Macedon, upon the sale
of his effects, there could scarcely be raised a sum sufficient to repay his wife's
fortune. [Y.R. 592. B.C. 160.] The Pomptine marshes were drained, and converted into dry
land, by the consul, Cornelius Cethegus.
