The names of the series of Praetors who held command in Sicily during the slave revolt until a Consul was sent in 134 depends on the unsatisfactory list given by Florus (2.7.7): L. Plautius Hypsaeus, Calpurnius Piso (probably Frugi, the Consul of 133), Cornelius Lentulus (perhaps the Consul of 130, but see 139, Praetors), Manlius (possibly A. Manlius Torquatus, RE no. 2, cf. 74), and P. Popillius Laenas (probably the Consul of 132). The order in which they held office is difficult to determine. It is not a certainty that Florus follows any particular order, but on the assumption that his list is arranged in the reverse order of time, Stella Maranca (315) and Wehrmann (11) are inclined to place Popillius in 139 and proceed back to Plautius in 135. The direct order is perhaps somewhat preferable, for Popillius belonged to a family whose members usually advanced rapidly from praetorship to consulship, but the evidence is inadequate. What is certain is that these men preceded the Consul Fulvius in 134. (Broughton MRR I)
Defeated by the slaves in revolt (Flor. 2.7.7; cf. Liv. Per. 56; Diod. 34-35.2.18; Obseq. 27; Oros. 5.9.6). (Broughton MRR I)
Praetor in Sicily 138? The order and the chronology of the praetors who dealt unsuccessfully with the first slave revolt in Sicily remains uncertain, since there were lesser disorders and defeats in the years before C. Fulvius Flaccus was sent to take command as consul in 134. Against the order accepted in MRR (1.483, note 1), P. Green would place Hypsaeus, not in 138, but in 135, since the situation described by Diodorus (34-35.2.16-18) fits best with the crisis just before the consul was sent. The others, Popillius, Cornelius Lentulus, and Calpurnius Piso (see the names in MRR, Index) remain uncertain as before. See P. Green, Past and Present, no. 20, 1960-1961, 10-29, and the chronological note, 28-29.
(Broughton MRR III)