39.19
Another matter connected with this was
brought forward by the consul Q. Marcius and made the subject of a decree,
namely, the cases of those whom the consuls had employed as informers.
The question was left for the senate to deal with as soon as Sp. Postumius
had closed his inquiry and returned to Rome. The senate decided that Minius
Cerrinius, the Campanian, should be sent in chains to Ardea, and that the
magistrates there should be warned to keep him in custody under close
observation to prevent not only his escape but any chance of his committing
suicide. After some time Sp. Postumius returned to Rome. He brought up
the question of the rewards to be given to P. Aebutius and Hispala Fecenia,
as it was owing to them that the Bacchanalia had been detected. The senate
decided that the City praetor should give each of them 100,000 ases out of
the treasury, and that the consul should arrange with the tribunes to propose
to the plebs on the first opportunity that P. Aebutius should be exempted
from military conscription, and not compelled, unless he wished, to serve in
either the infantry or the cavalry. To Fecenia was granted the right of
disposing of her property in any way she chose, of marrying out of her gens,
and selecting her own guardian, just as though a husband had left her this
power in his will. She was also at liberty to marry a free-born citizen, and
whoever married her should not suffer in reputation or position. Moreover,
the consuls and praetors then in office, and those who should succeed them,
were to make it their care that no harm should happen to the woman but that
she should live a safe life. These proposals the senate considered equitable
and thought it right that they should be adopted. They were submitted to the
plebs and the resolution of the senate was confirmed, and the consuls were
to secure the impunity of the other informers and decide upon their rewards.
