 Popillius refused to return to Rome until a tribune of the plebs promised to bring him to trial "in absentia".Popillius was tried, but the trial came to nothing due to the influence of his brother, the consul for the year, and other Popillii.Despite his actions against the Ligurians, Popillius was later elected censor with Publius Cornelius Scipio Nasica Corculum in 159 BC.