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

Hostility to Advanced Studies 409
IV. Philosophers and Rhetoricians Banished from
Rome
In the consulate of Caius Fannius Strabo, and Marcus ^^^^\''^^^^°j
Valerius Messala, a decree of the senate was adopted con- 161 B.C.
cerning the Latin philosophers and teachers of rhetoric: Cellius xv.
"Marcus Pomponius the prsetor called for the opinion of
the Senate, to wit: Since remark has been made concerning
philosophers and rhetoricians, it was therefore decreed
that Marcus Pomponius the praetor should take steps
against them, and take care that, if it seemed in the public
interest and in consonance with his own duty, they should
not be in Rome."
A few years after this decree of the senate, Cnaeus
Domitianus Ahenobarbus and Lucius Licinius Crassus, the
censors, issued this edict for restraining Latin rhetoricians:
"Whereas we have been informed that there are men Anedictof
txic Cciisorsa
who have instituted a new form of instruction and that to
the classes of these men our youth flock, while they call
themselves Latin rhetoricians, and that there the young
men pass whole days in idleness; now our ancestors have
fixed what instruction their sons should imbibe, and what
schools they should frequent. These new institutions,
therefore, which accord not with the customs and manner
of our ancestors, are neither agreeable nor proper. Wherefore
to those who conduct as well as those who frequent
such seminaries, we have thought proper to express our
disapprobation of their proceedings."
V. Roman Musical Taste
Lucius Anicius, who had been praetor and had gained a
victory over the Illyrians, returned to Rome with their