A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

1. P.Vatinius, the grandfather of the celebrated tribune [No. 2], was said to have informed the senate in B. C. 168, that as he was returning one night from the praefectura of Reate to Rome he was met by two youths on white horses (the Dioscuri), who announced that king Perseus was taken on that day. The tale went on to say that Vatinius was first thrown into prison for such rash words, but that, when the news came from Aemilius Paulus that the king had really fallen into his hands on the day named by Vatinius, the senate bestowed upon the latter a grant of land and exemption from military service. (Cic. de Nat. Deor. 2.2, 3.5.)