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\\nThe Partial Historians are back in the 420s BCE and we are wrapping up the decade with some first-class DRAMA! At the centre of it all are the trials of Sempronius and Postumia. The only question is, can you handle it?
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\\nEpisode 139 - The Trials of Sempronius and Postumia
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\\nFake Elections
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\\nThe year began with some classic conflict between the patricians and the plebeians. The tribunes of the plebs were FURIOUS when their relatives did not get elected as quaestors. There was only one possible explanation \\u2013 election fraud!
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\\nThere was clearly one man to blame: Aulus Sempronius Atratinus. He had been in charge of overseeing the elections and he had rigged the results. Unfortunately, he was also a military tribune and therefore immune from prosecution. But that didn\\u2019t mean that his relatives were\\u2026
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\\nThe Trial of Sempronius
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\\nThe tribunes set their sights on Atratinus\\u2019 cousin, Gaius Sempronius. Sempronius was the perfect target. He had been in charge of a DISASTROUS military campaign in 423 BCE. Time for vengeance!
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\\nJean Lemaire c. 1645-1655. Roman Senators and Legates. The picture shows senators walking though a square attended by lictors. Maybe they\'re on their way to a trial!
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\\nPoor Postumia
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\\nSempronius was not the only person to find themselves on trial in 420 BCE. A Vestal Virgin named Postumia was accused of incestum. Apparently, her clothing was a bit too sexy, and she had a sense of humour. What a horrible combination! Think of the children!
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\\nHowever, incestum was a very serious charge as it put the Romans\\u2019 relationship with the gods in jeopardy. It was no joke for Postumia either. Charges like this could lead to live burial for a Vestal.
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\\nTune in to find out whether Sempronius and Postumia manage to emerge victorious from their respective trials.
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\\nA modern imagining of Vestal Virgin by sculptor Joseph-Charles Marin 1791-95. Courtesy of Mary Harrsch on Flickr.
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\\nThings to Look Out For:
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\\n* Clear signs of our Partiality
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\\n* Lengthy digressions on work apparel
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\\n* Red lipstick and mini skirts
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\\n* Patrician morality par excellence  
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\\n* Family rivalry
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\\n* Immense excitement to find a woman in our story \\u2013 at last!
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\\n* Dr G\\u2019s immense expertise on Vestal Virgins
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\\nNeed a recap on Sempronius? Check out our previous episodes on 423 BCE and 422-21 BCE.
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\\nOur Players 420 BCE
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\\nMilitary Tribunes with Consular Power
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\\n* L. Quinctius L. f. L. n. Cincinnatus (Pat) Mil. Tr. c. p. 438, 425
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\\n* T. Quinctius L. f. L. n. Poenus Cincinnatus (Pat) Cos. 431, 428a, Mil. Tr. c. p. 426
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\\n* L. Furius Sp. f. -n. Medullinus (Pat) Mil. Tr. c. p. 432, 425
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\\n* M. Manlius \\u2013 f. \\u2013 n. Vulso (Pat)
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\\n* A. Sempronius L. f. A. n. Atratinus (Pat) Cos. 428b, Mil. Tr. c. p. 428, 416  
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\\nTribunes of the Plebs
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\\n* A. Antistius
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\\n* Sex. Pompilius
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\\n* M. Canuleius
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