Another decree connected with this was then made, on a motion of
the consul, Quintus Marcius, that "the business respecting the
persons who had served the consuls as informers should be proposed
to the senate in its original form, when Spurius Postumius should
have finished his inquiries, and returned to Rome." They voted
that Minus Cerrinius, the Campanian, should be sent to Ardea, to be
kept in custody there; and that a caution should be given to the
magistrates of that city, to guard him with more than ordinary
care, so as to prevent not only his escaping, but his having an
opportunity of committing suicide.
Spurius Postumius some time after came to Rome and on his proposing
the question, concerning the reward to be given to Publius Æbutius
and Hispala Fecenia, because the Bacchanalian ceremonies were
discovered by their exertions, the senate passed a vote, that "the
city quæstors should give to each of them, out of the public
treasury, one hundred thousand asses; and that the consuls should
desire the plebeian tribunes to propose to the commons as soon as
convenient, that the campaigns of Publius Æbutius should be
considered as served, that he should not become a soldier against
his wishes, nor should any censor assign him a horse at the public
charge." They voted also, that "Hispala Fecenia should enjoy the
privileges of alienating her property by gift or deed; of marrying
out of her rank, and of choosing a guardian, as if a husband had
conferred them by will; that she should be at liberty to wed a man
of honorable birth, and that there should be no disgrace or
ignominy to him who should marry her; and that the consuls and
prætors then in office, and their successors, should take care that
no injury should be offered to that woman, and that she might live
in safety. That the senate wishes, and thought proper, that all
these things should be so ordered."--All these particulars were
proposed to the commons, and executed, according to the vote of the
senate; and full permission was given to the consuls to determine
respecting the impunity and rewards of the other informers.[178]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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