By landing at the burying-place of the Caesars, he
heightened the wrath of the populace: besides, he and Plancina came
ashore, in open day, in the face of the city who were crowding the banks,
and proceeded with gay countenances; he attended by a long band of
clients, she by a train of ladies. There were yet other provocations to
hatred; the situation of his house, proudly overlooking the Forum, and
adorned and illuminated as for a festival; the banquet and rejoicings held
in it, and all as public as the place.
The next day Fulcinius Trio arraigned Piso before the Consuls, but was
opposed by Vitellius, Veranius, and others, who had accompanied
Germanicus: they said, "that in this prosecution Trio had no part; nor did
they themselves act as accusers, but only gathered materials, and, as
witnesses, produced the last injunctions of Germanicus." Trio dropped that
accusation; but got leave to call in question his former life: and now the
Emperor was desired to undertake the trial; a request which the accused
did not at all oppose, dreading the inclinations of the people and Senate:
he knew Tiberius, on the contrary, resolute in despising popular rumours,
and in guilt confederate with his mother: besides that truth and
misrepresentations were easiest distinguished by a single judge, but in
assemblies odium and envy often prevailed.
Pages:
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237