The senate of the Roman Republic in 186 BC found it necessary to write a decree, the Senatus consultum de Bacchanalibus, to prohibit all involvement in the Bacchanalia, which was a festival in honor of the Roman god Bacchus [1]. It was to be followed not only by roman citizens, but also by the Latin League, and Rome’s allies, with the exception of getting special permission from no less then one hundred senators [2]. If this decree was not followed, strict punishment would undoubtedly be inflicted on those found in contravention. It seems strange that Rome included their allies in this decree even though they most likely had no legal right to interfere [3]. This marked the beginning of a new kind of control Rome had over their allies [2]. During this time period, Roman hegemony gained by successful warfare was respected enough by the allied states for them to follow Roman laws even though they weren’t necessarily under Roman rule. The Bacchanalia originally started out as a sect that practiced religious rites at night that featured sexual behavior under the influence of wine. Because their practices were frowned upon, they adopted a code of secrecy and in essence, created a secret society [4]. The Bacchanalia eventually turned into wild and mystic festivals that included immoral acts of murder and rape. Women originally only attended Bacchanalia on three days in the year [5]. Subsequently, admission was extended to men and celebrations took place five times a month.
These festivals were corrupt with many kinds of crimes and political conspiracies. Membership soon became limited to people under the age of 20. However, when the cult began to terrorize people into joining and involve families of noble status, information was put forth before the senate [6]. According to Livy, the devotees of Bacchus by 186 B.C. had created scandalous and dangerous conditions throughout the length and breadth of Italy by celebrating their peculiar rites, the Bacchanalia. After the...