THE COLONIAL COMMISSIONERS OF 218 B.C. AND THE FOUNDATION OF CREMONA AND PLACENTIA In 218 B.C., the Romans established two large Latin colonies, Cremona and Placentia, in the valley of the Po river in the north of Italy. Livy and Polybius des- cribe the events surrounding the foundations of these colonies and provide, between them, seven names to fill the three places on the founding commission. A third author, Asconius, provides an additional group of three names, only two of which are included in the versions given by Livy and Polybius. In addition, Ascon- ius provides a date for the foundation of one of these colonies which can fit the events described by Livy and Polybius only with major emendations. A close ex- amination of the evidence reveals that Asconius’ account must be separated from the events described by Livy and Polybius and allows the founding commissioners to be identified. I ‘The basic source is Polybius (II] 40, 3-10), and his account is straightforward. While making preparations to fight the Carthaginians, the Romans decided to ac- celerate the foundation of the two colonies. Shortly after these had been eétablish- ed, the Boii and the Insubres revolted. The coloni and the colonial commissioners fled to Mutina, where they were besieged. The Roman officials requested « con- ference with the Gauls and were taken prisoner when they attended. Polybius (III 40,9) identifies theve captives as a consular, C. Lutatius, and two unnamed former practors. He later (III 67.7) reports that the Gauls intended to use these prisoners to recover hostages held by the Romans. In Livy's account (XXI 25,1-7), which is more complicated and more detail- ed, the main difficulties are found. In outline, Livy's version does not differ significantly from that of Polybius ('). The Boii and the Insubres revolted because they were angered by the recent foundation of Cremona and Placentia. The rebels made attacks on the territory of these colonies, and the commissioners and the set- ters fled to Mutina. While they were being besieged, the Gauls invited the com- missioners to a conference where they tock them prisoner. Livy identifies the commissioners as C. Lutatius, C. Servilius and M. Annius. He then indicates that there was some doubt about the last two of these, although Lutatius was certainly in the college (KXI 25,4); Lutatl women baud dabinm est; pro Annio Serviliogue M’. Acilium et C. Herennium habest quidam annates, alié P. Cornelinm Asinam et C. (¥) See F.W. Walbank, A Historical Commentary on Polybins, I, (Oxtord, 1957), 374-77. Copyright (¢)2007 ProQuest LLC. Copyright (c) Universita degli Studi di Pavia, Facolta di Lettere