Opimius extraordinary power

Plutarch: Lives of the noble Grecians and Romans primary

The senate grants Opimius extraordinary power; armed supporters gather, Fulvius’s men guard their leader while Caius laments his father’s statue, refusing to arm; Licinia urges him to avoid dying pointlessly.

wrongfully, was, however, in a great measure the occasion of it himself,) by these means hoping to undermine him who was the only remaining defender and safeguard of the people. The senators, after some time, withdrew, and presently ordered that Opimius, the consul, should be invested with extraordinary power to protect the commonwealth and suppress all tyrants. This being decreed, he presently commanded the senato…