67.
Therefore, among other people too, when sudden enmities have arisen between relations, we
often see divorces and ruptures of connections take place; but this woman thought that no one
could be sufficiently reined upon as the prosecutor of her son, unless he first married his
sister. Other men, induced by new connections, often lay aside their ancient enmities; she
thought that a connection with the family would be a pledge to ensure the strengthening of
enmity.
[191]
And she was not only diligent in providing an
accuser for her son, but she also planned how to furnish him with the requisite weapons. Hence
were all those tamperings with the slaves, both by means of threats and of promises; hence
those repeated and cruel investigations into the death of Oppianicus; to which at last it was
not the moderation of the woman, but the authority of her friends that put a limit. From the
same wickedness proceeded that investigation conducted at Larinum three years afterwards. The
false reports of the investigation were fabricated by the same frantic criminality. From that
same frenzy proceeded also that abominable cutting out of her victim's tongue; and lastly, the
whole contrivance of this accusation has been managed and carried out by her.
[192]
And when she had herself sent the accuser armed with all these
weapons against her son to Rome, she remained herself
a little while at Larinum, for the sake of seeking out and hiring witnesses. But afterwards,
when news was brought to her that this man's trial was coming on, she immediately flew hither,
to prevent any diligence being wanting on the part of the accusers, or any money to the
witnesses; or perhaps lest she, as his mother, should lose this sight which she had so eagerly
desired, of this man's mourning habit, and grief, and melancholy condition.
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