XXXVIII.  The most popular thing which Aemilius did in connection with Macedonia was that he brought back so much money that the people were not obliged to pay any taxes till the consulship of Hirtius and Pausa, during the first war between Antony and Augustus Caesar.  This was remarkable about Aemilius, that he was peculiarly respected and loved by the people, though of the aristocratical party; and though he never said or did anything to make himself popular, but always in politics acted with the party of the nobles.  Scipio Africanus was afterwards reproached with this by Appius.  These were the leading men in the city, and were candidates for the office of Censor:  the one with the Senate and nobles to support him, that being the hereditary party of the Appii; the other being a man of mark in himself, and one who ever enjoyed the greatest love and favour with the people.  So when Appius saw Scipio coming into the forum surrounded by men of low birth and freed men, yet men who knew the forum, and who could collect a mob and by their influence and noise could get any measure passed, he called out, “O Paulus Aemilius, groan in your grave, at your son being brought into the Censorship by Aemilius the crier and Licinius Philonicus.”  But Scipio kept the people in good humour by constantly augmenting their privileges, whereas Aemilius, though of the aristocratic party, was no less loved by the people than those who courted their favour and caressed them.  They showed this by electing him, amongst other dignities, to the Censorship; which office is most sacred, and confers great power, especially in examining men’s lives; for the Censor can expel a senator of evil life from his place, and elect the President of the Senate, and punish licentious young men by taking away their horses.  They also register the value of property, and the census of the people.  In his time they amounted to three hundred and thirty-seven thousand four hundred and fifty-two.  He appointed Marcus Aemilius Lepidus President of the Senate, who four times already had enjoyed that dignity, and he expelled three senators, not men of mark.  With regard to the Equites, he and his colleague Marcius Philippus showed equal moderation.

XXXIX.  After most of the labours of his life were accomplished, he fell sick of a disorder which at first seemed dangerous, but as time went on appeared not to be mortal, but wearisome and hard to cure.

At length he followed the advice of his physicians, and sailed to Paestum, in Italy.  There he passed his time chiefly in the peaceful meadows near the sea-shore; but the people of Rome regretted his absence, and in the public theatre often would pray for his return, and speak of their longing to see him.  When the time for some religious ceremony at which he had to be present approached, and he also considered himself sufficiently strong, he returned to Rome.  He performed the sacrifice, with the other priests, the people surrounding him with congratulations.