Reader

At the expiration of his praetorship he obtained by lot the Farther-

Spain

,

1

and pacified his creditors, who were for detaining him, by finding sureties for his debts.

2

Contrary, however, to both law and custom, he took his departure before the usual equipage and outfit were prepared. It is uncertain whether this precipitancy arose from the apprehension of an impeachment, with which he was threatened on the expiration of his former office, or from his anxiety to lose no time in relieving the allies, who implored him to come to their aid. He had no sooner established tranquillity in the province, than, without waiting for the arrival of his successor, he returned to

Rome

, with equal haste, to sue for a triumph,

3

and the consulship.

The day of election, however, being already fixed by proclamation, he could not legally be admitted a candidate, unless he entered the city as a private person.

1

On this emergency he solicited a suspension of the laws in his favour; but such an indulgence being strongly opposed, he found himself under the necessity of abandoning all thoughts of a triumph, lest he should be disappointed of the consulship.