Page:Roman Constitutional History, 753-44 B.C..djvu/128

114 formed a precedent, and showed how either progress or revolution might be promoted, and how the people, or even the rabble, might, as well as the senate, by their own decree transfer public property to their own coffers. The possession of such power undoubtedly tended to demoralize the people, as it was demoralizing the senate, and to convert the popular leaders into demagogues and tyrants.

The Policy of Flaminius. — Flaminius was successful in securing the execution of his law; the Roman citizens were still brave and enterprising enough to emigrate and settle in considerable numbers in the frontier region about Ariminum. He seems to have intended to colonize the entire district between the Apennines and the Po, perhaps the whole valley of this river; and it was probably he who in 218 secured the establishment of the strong Latin colonies, Cremona and Placentia. His wise policy was in part revived after the second Punic war, and the cispadane region became one of the most flourishing in all Italy during the second century B.C. If his plans had met with less opposition and had been carried out on a large scale at an earlier time, the new colonies and settlements might in a measure have checked the Gallic revolts and in so far have impeded the success of Hannibal.

Later Career of Flaminius. — Flaminius was possibly also the author of the institution of provincial governors. He was the first praetor in Sicily, and seems to have proven a good governor, as the Sicilians held him in grateful remembrance.

He was consul in 223. Being recalled by the senate on account of an alleged defect (vitium) in his election, he disregarded the summons for a time, then resigned. Afterward he was appointed master of horse by the dictator Marcus Minucius. Perhaps on account of this choice, Minucius