For, as Augustus, shortly before his decease, was
mentioning those among the great men, who were capable of the supreme
power, but would not accept it; or unequal to it, yet wished for it; or
such, as had both ambition and sufficiency; he had said, that "Marcus
Lepidus was qualified, but would reject it; Asinius would be aspiring, but
had inferior talents; and that Lucius Arruntius wanted no sufficiency, and
upon a proper occasion would attempt it." That he spoke thus of Lepidus
and Asinius, is agreed; but, instead of Arruntius, some writers have
transmitted the name of Cneius Piso: and every one of these great men,
except Lepidus, were afterwards cut off, under the imputation of various
crimes, all darkly framed by Tiberius. Quintus Haterius and Mamercus
Scaurus did thereafter incense his distrustful spirit; the first by asking
him, "How long, Caesar, wilt thou suffer the Commonwealth to remain
destitute of a head?" Scaurus, because he had said "there was room to hope
that the prayers of the Senate would not prove abortive, since he had not
opposed as Tribune, nor rendered invalid, as he might, the motion of the
Consuls in his behalf.
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