It was not indeed, without cause, established of old,
that women should neither be carried by their husbands into confederate
nations nor foreign. A train of women introduced luxury in peace, by their
fears retarded war, and made a Roman army resemble, in their march, a
mixed host of barbarians. The sex was not tender only and unfit for
travel, but, if suffered, cruel, aspiring, and greedy of authority: they
even marched amongst the soldiers, and were obeyed by the officers. A
woman had lately presided at the exercises of the troops, and at the
decursions of the legions. The Senate themselves might remember, that as
often as any of the magistrates were charged with plundering the
provinces, their wives were always engaged in the guilt. To the ladies,
the most profligate in the province applied; by them all affairs were
undertaken, by them transacted: at home two distinct courts were kept, and
abroad the wife had her distinct train and attendance. The ladies, too,
issued distinct orders, but more imperious and better obeyed. Such
feminine excesses were formerly restrained by the Oppian, and other laws;
but now these restraints were violated, women ruled all things, their
families, the Forum, and even the armies.
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