y was left for relenting or retracing
the steps of their passion. The multitude therefore gave vent to their
indignation, and demanded an election to supply the places of
Andranodorus and Themistus, for both of them had been praetors; an
election by no means likely to be agreeable to the praetors.

27. The day was fixed for the election, when, to the surprise of all,
one person from the extremity of the crowd nominated Epicydes, and
then another from the same quarter nominated Hippocrates. Afterwards
the voices in favour of these persons increased with the manifest
approbation of the multitude. The assembly was one of a heterogeneous
character, consisting not only of the commons, but a crowd of
soldiers, with a large admixture even of deserters, who were desirous
of innovation in every thing. The praetors, at first, concealed their
feelings, and were for protracting the business; but at length,
overcome by the general opinion, and apprehensive of a sedition, they
declared them the praetors. These did not, however, immediately openly
avow their sentiments, though they were chagrined that ambassadors had
been sent to Appius Claudius to negotiate a ten days' truce, and that
on obtaining this, others were sent to treat for the renewal of the
old alliance. The Romans, with a fleet of a hundred ships, were then
stationed at Murgantia, waiting the issue of the commotion raised at
Syracuse by the death of the tyrants, and to what their recent
acquisition of liberty would impel the people. Meanwhile, the
Syracusan ambassadors were sent by Appius Claudius to Marcellus on his
coming into Sicily, and Marcellus having heard the conditions of
peace, and being of opinion that matters might be brought to a
settlement, himself also sent ambassadors to Syracuse to treat with
the praetors in person on the renewal of the alliance. But now by no
means the same state of quiet and tranquillity existed there.
Hippocrates and Epicydes, their fears being removed, after that
intelligence had arrived that a Carthaginian fleet had put in at
Pachynum, complained sometimes to the mercenary soldiers, at other
times to the deserters, that Syracuse was being betrayed to the
Romans. And when Appius began to station his ships at the mouth of the
port, in order to inspire the other party with courage, their false
insinuations appeared to receive great corroboration; and on the first
impulse, the populace had even run down in a disorderly manner to
prevent