Titus Livius (Livy), The History of Rome, Book 22
D. Spillan, A.M., M.D., Cyrus Evans, Ed.

33. During the same days a Carthaginian spy, who had escaped for two years, was apprehended at Rome, and his hands having been cut off, was let go: and twenty-five slaves were crucified for forming a conspiracy in the Campus Martius; [2] his liberty was given to the informer, and twenty thousand asses of the heavy standard. [3] Ambassadors were also sent to Philip, king of the Macedonians, to demand Demetrius of Pharia, who, having been vanquished in war, had fled to him. [4] Others were sent to the Ligurians, to expostulate with them for having assisted the Carthaginians with their substance and with auxiliaries; and, at the same time, to take a near view of what was going on amongst the Boii and Insubrians. [5] Ambassadors were also sent to the Illyrians to king Pineus, to demand the tribute, the day of payment of which had passed; or if he wished to postpone the day, to receive hostages. [6] Thus, though an arduous war was on their shoulders, no attention to any one concern in any part of the world, however remote, escapes the Romans. [7] It was made a matter of superstitious fear also, that the temple of Concord, which Lucius Manlius, the praetor, had vowed in Gaul two years ago, on occasion of a mutiny, had not been contracted for to that day. [8] Accordingly, Cneius Pupius and Caeso Quinctius Flaminius, created duumviri by Marcus Aemilius, the city praetor, for that purpose, contract for the building a temple in the citadel. By the same praetor a letter was sent to the consuls, agreeably to a decree of the senate, to the effect that, if they thought proper, one of them should come to Rome to elect consuls; and that he would proclaim the election for whatever day they might name. [9] To this it was replied by the consuls, that they could not leave the enemy without detriment to the public; [10] that it would be better, therefore, that the election should be held by an interrex, than that one of the consuls should be called away from the war. [11] It appeared more proper to the fathers, that a dictator should be nominated by a consul, for the purpose of holding the election. [p. 803]Lucius Veturius Philo was nominated, who chose Manius Pomponius Matho master of the horse. [12] These having been created with some defect, they were ordered to give up their appointment on the fourteenth day; and the state came to an interregnum.