[Sidenote:  B.C. 207 (a.u. 547)] At this same period Sulpicius, too, with Attalus captured Oreus by treachery and Opus by main force.  Philip although in Demetrias was unable to check their encroachments speedily because the AEtolians had seized the passes in advance.  At last, however, he did arrive on the scene and finding Attalus disposing of the spoil from Opus (for this had fallen to his lot and that from Oreus to the Romans) he hurled him back to his ships.  Attalus, accordingly, for this reason and also because Prusias, king of Bithynia, had invaded his country and was devastating it, hastily sailed away homewards.

Philip, however, far from being elated at this success, even wished to conclude a truce with the Romans and especially because Ptolemy, too, was sending ambassadors from Egypt and trying to reconcile them.  After some preliminary discussion [lacuna] he no longer requested peace, but [lacuna] drew the AEtolians away from the Roman alliance by some [lacuna] and made them friends.

Nothing worthy of remembrance, however, was done either by him or by any others either then or in the following year when Lucius Veturius and Caecilius Metellus became consuls:  this notwithstanding the fact that many signs of ill-omen to the Romans were reported.  For example, a hermaphrodite lamb was born, and a swarm of [lacuna] was seen, down the doors of the temple of the Capitoline Jupiter two serpents glided, both the doors and the altar in the temple of Neptune ran with copious sweat, in Antium bloody ears were seen by some reapers, elsewhere a woman having horns appeared and many thunderbolts [lacuna] into temples [lacuna] Paris Fragment (10th Century MS.) (See Haase, Rh.  Mus., 1839, p.458, ff.  Zonaras 9, 11.)

[Sidenote:  B.C. 205 (a.u. 549)]48. ¶ Licinius Crassus, by reason of his geniality and beauty and wealth (which gained for him the name of Wealthy) and because he was a high priest, was to stay in Italy without casting lots for the privilege. (Valesius, p. 605.  Zonaras, 9, 11.)

49. ¶ The Pythian god commanded the Romans to entrust to the best of the citizens the conveyance to the city of the goddess from Pessinus, and they accordingly honored Publius Scipio, a son of Gnaeus who died in Spain, above all others by their first preference.  The reason was that he was in general [lacuna] and was deemed both pious and just.  He at this time, accompanied by the most prominent women, conducted the goddess to Rome and to the Palatine. (Valesius, p. 606.)

50. ¶ The Romans on learning of the actions of the Locrians, thinking it had come about through contempt of Scipio, were displeased, and under the influence of anger immediately made plans to end his leadership and to recall him for trial.  They were also indignant because he adopted Greek manners, wore his toga thrown back over his shoulder, and contended in the palaestra.  Furthermore it was said he gave over to the soldiers