A source-book of ancient history - The Search For Mecca

378 Roman Organization
Roman
women do
not drink
wine.
Gcllius X. 23.
aloud; and he was about to be fined, this being considered
as a proof of an indolent and careless temper, and of a rude
and impertinent confidence. But when he swore that his
yawning was reluctant and involuntary, and that he was
afilicted with the disease termed the gapes, he was acquitted
of his intended fine.
The writers on the food and dress of the Romans inform
us that the women of Rome and Latium lived abstemiously;
that is, they abstained from wine. ... It was appointed
by law, that they should kiss their relations, that it might
be discovered by their breath whether they had been
drinking. But they relate that the women were accustomed
to drink the second brewing, raisin wine, sweet
myrrh, and other sweet beverages of that taste. And
these things are published in the books I mentioned. But
Marcus Cato says that women were not only censored but
fined, if they had been drinking wine.
STUDIES
1. On the basis of these passages classify the municipia, and distinguish
them from colonies. What was the status of each community
mentioned in Livy viii. 14?
2. Describe the organization and movements of the reformed army.
3. Describe the earHest coins; the early Italic paintings. From
the selections from Gellius what may we infer as to the severity of
the censors? the life of women?