it when dead; and shall we interdict the use of purple to women alone?  And when you, the husband, may wear purple in your great coat, will you not suffer your wife to have a purple mantle?  Shall your horse be more splendidly caparisoned than your wife is clothed?  But with respect to purple, which will be worn out and consumed, I can see an unjust, indeed, but still a sort of reason, for parsimony; but with respect to gold, in which, excepting the price of the workmanship, there is no waste, what objection can there be?  It rather serves as a reserve fund for both public and private exigencies, as you have already experienced.  He says there will be no emulation between individuals, when no one is possessed of it.  But, in truth, it will be a source of grief and indignation to all, when they see those ornaments allowed to the wives of the Latin confederates of which they themselves have been deprived; when they see those riding through the city in their carriages, and decorated with gold and purple, while they are obliged to follow on foot, as if the seat of empire were in the country of the others, not in their own.  This would hurt the feelings even of men, and what do you think must be its effect on those of weak women, whom even trifles can disturb?  Neither offices of state, nor of the priesthood, nor triumphs, nor badges of distinction, nor military presents, nor spoils, can fall to their share.  Elegance of appearance, and ornaments, and dress, these are the women’s badges of distinction; in these they delight and glory; these our ancestors called the women’s world.  What else do they lay aside when in mourning, except their gold and purple?  And what else do they resume when the mourning is over?  How do they distinguish themselves on occasion of public thanksgivings and supplications, but by adding unusual splendour of dress?  But then, (it may be said,) if you repeal the Oppian law, should you choose to prohibit any of those particulars which the law at present prohibits, you will not have it in your power; your daughters, wives, and even the sisters of some, will be less under control.  The bondage of women is never shaken off without the loss of their friends; and they themselves look with horror on that freedom which is purchased with the condition of the widow or the orphan.  Their wish is, that their dress should be under your regulation, not under that of the law; and it ought to be your wish to hold them in control and guardianship, not in bondage; and to prefer the title of father or husband to that of master.  The consul just now made use of some invidious terms, calling it a female sedition and secession; because, I suppose, there is danger of their seizing the sacred mount, as formerly the angry plebeians did; or the Aventine.  Their feeble nature must submit to whatever you think proper to enjoin; and, the greater power you possess, the more moderate ought you to be in the exercise of your authority.”