her dignities, to the Censorship; which office
is most sacred, and confers great power, especially in examining men's
lives; for the Censor can expel a senator of evil life from his place,
and elect the President of the Senate, and punish licentious young men
by taking away their horses. They also register the value of property,
and the census of the people. In his time they amounted to three hundred
and thirty-seven thousand four hundred and fifty-two. He appointed
Marcus Aemilius Lepidus President of the Senate, who four times already
had enjoyed that dignity, and he expelled three senators, not men of
mark. With regard to the Equites, he and his colleague Marcius Philippus
showed equal moderation.

XXXIX. After most of the labours of his life were accomplished, he fell
sick of a disorder which at first seemed dangerous, but as time went on
appeared not to be mortal, but wearisome and hard to cure.

At length he followed the advice of his physicians, and sailed to
Paestum, in Italy. There he passed his time chiefly in the peaceful
meadows near the sea-shore; but the people of Rome regretted his
absence, and in the public theatre often would pray for his return, and
speak of their longing to see him. When the time for some religious
ceremony at which he had to be present approached, and he also
considered himself sufficiently strong, he returned to Rome. He
performed the sacrifice, with the other priests, the people surrounding
him with congratulations. On the next day he again officiated, offering
a thank-offering to the gods for his recovery. When this sacrifice was
finished, he went home and lay down, and before any one noticed how
changed he was, he fell into a delirious trance, and died in three days,
having in his life wanted none of those things which are thought to
render men happy. Even his funeral procession was admirable and
enviable, and a noble tribute to his valour and goodness. I do not mean
gold, ivory, and other expensive and vain-glorious apparatus, but love,
honour, and respect, not only shown by his own countrymen, but also by
foreigners. For of the Iberians, Ligurians, and Macedonians who happened
to be in Rome, the strongest carried the bier, while the elder men
followed after, praising Aemilius as the saviour and benefactor of their
countries. For he not only during his period of conquest had treated
them mildly and humanely, but throughout the rest of his life was always
bestowing benefits upon