On the other side, the tribunes of the people met his
threats by solemnly protesting they would fine him fifty thousand
drachmas of silver, if he persisted in obstructing the people from
giving their suffrages for the law. Whether it were, then, that he
feared another banishment or condemnation, which would ill become
his age and past great actions, or found himself unable to stem
the current of the multitude, which ran strong and violent, he
betook himself, for the present, to his house, and afterwards, for
some days together, professing sickness, finally laid down his
dictatorship. The senate created another dictator; who, choosing
Stolo, leader of the sedition, to be his general of horse,
suffered that law to be enacted and ratified, which was most
grievous to the patricians, namely that no person whatsoever
should possess above five hundred acres of land. Stolo was much
distinguished by the victory he had gained; but, not long after
was found himself to possess more than he had allowed to others,
and suffered the penalties of his own law.
And now the contention about election of consuls coming on (which
was the main point and original cause of the dissension, and had
throughout furnished most matter of division between the senate
and the people), certain intelligence arrived, that the Gauls
again, proceeding from the Adriatic Sea, were marching in vast
number upon Rome.
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