The consuls of 186 BCE, Marcius and Philippus, operated, in the first part of the year, a violent persecution of the followers of Bacchus. The repression was so bloody and so violent that it can be compared only to that a few centuries after was carried against the Christians. This violence against the followers of a religious worship is surprising if one takes into account that no people was, like the Roman, so tolerant in religious matters.

But the repression, although very hard and stern, was not enough, it was necessary to make sure that such a calamity did not arise again. Police and judicial measures had to be followed by legislative measures  to prevent in the future the resurgence of the heinous superstitio. After finishing the repression of the followers of Bacchus, the consuls asked an opinion to the Senate about the Bacchanalia. The Senators convened and took a new decision. They advised the consuls to issue an edict aimed at limiting the proliferation of shrines of Bacchus and at regulating the participation in the worship and the hierarchy. Decisions were taken at the October 7 of 186 BC and go under the name of Senatus consultum de Bacchanalibus. These measures, which in their essential features were transmitted by Livy, are shown in complete form in bronze table addressed to Teuranus ager, which reproduces the consular edict that made ​​executive the provisions recommended by the senators on the Bacchanalia. In this work, we have tried to analyze, in as much detail as possible, the content and linguistic features of this inscription