" Piso the while was overtaken at
the Isle of Cooes by a message, "that Germanicus was deceased," and
received it intemperately, slew victims and repaired with thanksgiving to
the temples: and yet, however immoderate and undisguised was his joy, more
arrogant and insulting proved that of Plancina, who immediately threw off
her mourning, which for the death of a sister she wore, and assumed a
dress adapted to gaiety and gladness.
About him flocked the Centurions with officious representations, "that
upon him particularly were bent the affections and zeal of the legions,
and he should proceed to resume the province, at first injuriously taken
from him and now destitute of a governor." As he therefore consulted what
he had best pursue, his son Marcus Piso advised "a speedy journey to Rome:
hitherto," he said, "nothing past expiation was committed; nor were
impotent suspicions to be dreaded; nor the idle blazonings of fame: his
variance and contention with Germanicus was perhaps subject to hate and
aversion, but to no prosecution or penalty; and, by bereaving him of the
province, his enemies were gratified: but if he returned thither, as
Sentius would certainly oppose him with arms, a civil war would thence be
actually begun: neither would the Centurions and soldiers persist in his
party; men with whom the recent memory of their late commander, and an
inveterate love to the Caesarian general, were still prevalent.
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