"Was it then
the tender part of a grandmother to admit to her sight the murderess of
her grandson, to be intimate with her, and to snatch her from the
vengeance of the Senate? To Germanicus alone was denied what by the laws
was granted to every citizen. By Vitellius and Veranius, the cause of that
prince was mourned and pleaded: by the Emperor and his mother, Plancina
was defended and protected. Henceforth she might pursue her infernal arts
so successfully tried, repeat her poisonings, and by her arts and poisons
assail Agrippina and her children; and, with the blood of that most
miserable house, satiate the worthy grandmother and uncle." In this mock
trial two days were wasted; Tiberius, all the while, animating the sons of
Piso to defend their mother: when the pleaders and witnesses had
vigorously pushed the charge, and no reply was made, commiseration
prevailed over hatred. The Consul Aurelius Cotta was first asked his
opinion: for, when the Emperor collected the voices, the magistrates
likewise voted. Cotta's sentence was, "that the name of Piso should be
razed from the annals, part of his estate forfeited, part granted to his
son Cneius, upon changing that name; his son Marcus be divested of his
dignity, and content with fifty thousand great sestertia, [Footnote:
L42,000.
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