Before the praetors left for their provinces a dispute arose between P. Licinius, the Pontifex Maximus, and the Flamen Quirinalis, Q. Fabius Pictor. There had been a similar dispute many years previously between L. Metellus and Postumius Albinus. Metellus was Pontifex Maximus at the time, and had prevented Albinus, the newly elected consul, from acCOMDanvin his colleague to the fleet at Sicilv. On the nresent occasion。r。.Licinius nag aetainea the Draetor from LzoinLy to Sardinia and kept him at his sacred duties. The question was hotly debated both in the senate and in the Assembly, orders were made on一oth sides, sureties accepted.fines imposed.the L i 1， authority of the tribunes invoked and appeals laid before the Assembly. At last the claims of reli gion prevailed and the Flamen was ordered to the Pon ;iff's direction;the fine imposed upon him was remitted by order of the people. The praetor was very angry at losing his province and wanted to resign his office, but the senate exerted their authority to pre- iat he should exercise the jurisdiction over aliens. The levies were now completed in a few days, for there were not many men to be called up, and the praetors left for their provinces。 Unauthorised rumours began to spread through Rome about the events in Asia, and a few days later definite information and a despatch from the commander-in-chief reached the City. The rejoicing at their arrival was not due to the relief from.present anxieties-for they had nothing to fear as to what the vanquished king could do in Aetolia-so much as to his having lost his former prestige;for when they began the war they looked upon their enemv as formidable both throuLyh his own Dower and tnrouffn nis navina nannidai to airect the campaign. . nev adhered, however, to their decision to send the consul into Asia,