did not fall to the ground from thence.  Both from Anagnia and Fregellae it was reported that a wall and some gates had been struck by lightning.  That in the forum of Sudertum streams of blood had continued flowing through a whole day; at Eretum, that there had been a shower of stones; and at Reate, that a mule had brought forth.  These prodigies were expiated with victims of the larger sort, the people were commanded to offer up prayers for one day, and perform the nine days’ sacred rite.  Several of the public priests died off this year, and fresh ones were appointed.  In the room of Manius Aemilius Numida, decemvir for sacred rites, Marcus Aemilius Lepidus was appointed; in the room of Manius Pomponius Matho, the pontiff, Caius Livius; in the room of Spurius Carvilius Maximus, the augur, Marcus Servilius.  As Titus Otacilius Crassus, a pontiff, died after the year was concluded, no person was nominated to succeed him.  Caius Claudius, flamen of Jupiter, retired from his office, because he had distributed the entrails improperly.

24.  During the same time Marcus Valerius Laevinus, having first sounded the intentions of the leading men by means of secret conferences, came with some light ships to a council of the Aetolians, which had been previously appointed to meet for this very purpose.  Here having proudly pointed to the capture of Syracuse and Capua, as proofs of the success of the Roman arms in Sicily and Italy, he added, that “it was a custom with the Romans, handed down to them from their ancestors, to respect their allies; some of whom they had received into their state, and had admitted to the same privileges they enjoyed themselves, while others they treated so favourably that they chose rather to be allies than citizens.  That the Aetolians would be honoured by them so much the more, because they were the first of the nations across the sea which had entered into friendship with them.  That Philip and the Macedonians were troublesome neighbours to them, but that he had broken their strength and spirits already, and would still further reduce them to that degree, that they should not only evacuate the cities which they had violently taken from the Aetolians, but have Macedonia itself disturbed with war.  And that as to the Acarnanians, whose separation from their body was a source of grief to the Aetolians, he would place them again under their ancient system of jurisdiction and dominion.”  These assertions and promises of the Roman general, Scopas, who was at that time praetor of the nation, and Dorymachus, a leading man among the Aetolians, confirmed on their own authority, extolling the power and greatness of the Roman people with less reserve, and with greater force of conviction.  However, the hope of recovering Acarnania principally moved them.  The terms, therefore, were reduced to writing, on which they should enter into alliance and friendship with the Roman people, and it was added, that “if it were agreeable to them and they wished it, the Eleans and Lacedaemonians,