LXXVII.
At (at: see note for at in ch. 70.) theatri licentia, proximo priore anno (proximo priore anno: proximo and priore give redundancy, the two adjectives being synonymous, but this and other constructions, such as zeugma, hendiadys, and even anacolutha, which in English are considered solecisms, are occasionally found in the best Latin authors and are obviously deliberate. Cultural perceptions vary with time and place.) coepta, gravius tum erupit, occisis non modo e plebe set (set: the original text has et, subsequently changed to set (sed) as correlative to non modo.) militibus et centurione, vulnerato tribuno praetoriae cohortis, dum probra in magistratus et dissensionem vulgi prohibent. (occisis … militibus et centurione, vulnerato tribuno praetoriae cohortis, dum … prohibent: abl. abs. with accompanying temporal clause with dum + present indicative. praetoriae cohortis: military force was required to be in attendance at the theater to maintain order in case of riots.) actum de ea seditione (de ea seditione: abl. of the subject treated; see also de modo lucaris below.) apud patres dicebanturque sententiae, ut praetoribus ius virgarum in histriones esset. (dicebanturque sententiae, ut praetoribus ius virgarum in histriones esset: the imperfect dicebantur denotes an action in progress: ‘votes were already being cast to give the praetors authority to cane the actors.’ praetoribus is dat. of possessor with esset, lit. ‘to the end that the praetors might have the right to …’) intercessit Haterius Agrippa tribunus plebei (intercessit Haterius Agrippa tribunus plebei: the tribune of the plebs had power to veto any initiative of the senate that he would consider damaging to the people. Haterius Agrippa was probably the son of the Quintus Haterius mentioned in ch. 13.) increpitusque est Asinii Galli oratione, silente Tiberio, qui ea simulacra libertatis senatui praebebat. valuit tamen intercessio, (valuit tamen intercession: ‘Haterius’ veto held good.’) quia divus Augustus immunis verberum histriones quondam responderat, neque fas Tiberio infringere dicta eius. (neque fas Tiberio infringere dicta eius: ‘nor was it proper for Tiberius to go against his father’s pronouncements’) de modo lucaris (de modo lucaris: ‘about the proper limit of expenditures on entertainment’; lucar was originally the payment to participants in religious services held in groves (luci); later the meaning extended to include the pay of all actors performing in theaters.) et adversus lasciviam fautorum multa decernuntur; (adversus lasciviam fautorum multa decernuntur: ‘many measures were passed against the excesses of the fans.’ fautores were people hired to applaud one’s favorite actors and shout down the competition. decernuntur is historical present.) ex quis maxime insignia, ne domos pantomimorum senator introiret, ne egredientis in publicum equites Romani cingerent aut alibi quam in theatro spectarentur, et spectantium immodestiam exilio multandi potestas praetoribus fieret. (ex quis maxime insignia, ne domos pantomimorum senator introiret, ne egredientis in publicum equites Romani cingerent aut alibi quam in theatro spectarentur, et spectantium immodestiam exilio multandi potestas praetoribus fieret: ‘of which [measures] especially important [were]: that no senator might enter the houses of actors; that no Roman knight might mingle with them sociably when appearing in public; that actors should be seen performing nowhere but in theaters; that authority be given to (lit. ‘be created for’) the praetors of punishing with exile the outrages of the spectators.’ ne …introiret; ne …cingerent aut …spectarentur; …fieret: use of hortatory or, more specifically, jussive subjunctive to express three prohibitions after ne and one positive command that needs no introductory particle. Cf. A.G. 439.)