Page:Roman Constitutional History, 753-44 B.C..djvu/129

Rh was compelled to resign — ostensibly because a mouse had squeaked and thereby vitiated the auspices taken prior to his appointment. The chief opponent of Flaminius, Quintus Fabius Maximus, who was an augur, once declared in effect that the auspices were simply a means of political control.

Censorship of Flaminius. — During this century the censorship reached the zenith both in its political influence, which seems to have begun with the incumbency of Appius Claudius Caecus, and in its peculiar moral jurisdiction, which was exercised in the choice of senators and horsemen (equites equo publico) and the enrollment of citizens. The people, accordingly, expected important measures when, in 220, they elected such an energetic and progressive man as Flaminius censor; nor do they appear to have been disappointed. His colleague was Lucius Aemilius Papus. Flaminius completed the great road from Spoletium to Ariminum (via Flaminia), and it was probably at this time that he worked most effectively for founding the colonies on the Po. He also built a second circus (circus Flaminius), and is thought to have established a second festival (ludi plebeii).

II. The Claudian Law and the Aristocracy of Wealth.

The Claudian Law. — The most important work of Flaminius was done in the political sphere. He was conservative, however, and attacked neither the administrative powers of the government, nor its abuse of the auspices for political purposes, nor did he propose any other radical change. He probably inspired — at any rate he advocated — the Claudian law, which forbade senators and the sons of senators to have sea-going vessels of a greater tonnage than about seven tons (300 amphorae). This tonnage was considered sufficient for the transportation of the produce of