He fought a bloody battle at the town of Carystum, which came to a conclusion when Popillius sent in the cavalry that broke through the Ligurian lines.
The Senate was outraged when it heard of the treatment shown to a people who had not taken up arms against Rome and were attacked without provocation.
In response the Senate passed a decree that anyone hindering the return of the Statielli to their freedom would face trial.
Popillius refused to return to Rome until a tribune of the plebs promised to bring him to trial in absentia.
[6] Despite his actions against the Ligurians, Popillius was later elected censor with Publius Cornelius Scipio Nasica Corculum in 159 BC.