Ofonius Tigellinus

In the consulship of Publius Marius and Lucius Asinius, Antistius, the praetor, whose lawless behaviour as tribune of the people I have mentioned, composed some libellous verses on the emperor, which he openly recited at a large gathering when he was dining at the house of Astoria Scapula.

He was upon this impeached of high treason by Cossutianus Capito, who had lately been restored to a senator's rank on the intercession of his father-in-law Tigellinus.

This was the first occasion on which the law of treason was revived, and men thought that it was not so much the ruin of Antistius which was aimed at as the glory of the emperor, whose veto as tribune might save from death one whom the Senate had condemned.

Though Austorius had stated that he had heard nothing as evidence, the adverse witnesses were believed, and Junius Mirulus, consul-elect, proposed that the accused should be deprived of his praetorship and be put to death in the ancient manner.

Many positively asserted that by Nero's order his throat was smeared with some poisonous drug under the pretense of the application of a remedy, and that Burrus, who saw through the crime when the emperor paid him a visit, recoiled with horror from his gaze and merely replied to his question, I indeed am well.

Rome felt for him a deep and lasting regret, because of the remembrance of his worth, because too of the merely passive virtue of one of his successors, and the very flagrant iniquities of the other.

For the emperor had appointed two men to the command of the praetorian cohorts, Finneus Rufus, for a vulgar popularity which he owed to his administration of the corn supplies without profit to himself, and Sophonius Tigellinus, whose inveterate shamelessness and infamy were an attraction to him.

As might have been expected from their known characters, Tigellinus had the greater influence with the prince, and was the associate of his most secret profligacy; while Rufus enjoyed the favour of the people and of the soldiers, and this, he found, prejudiced him with Nero.

All vice is at its acme.

Up with your sails, and shake out every stitch of canvas! Here perhaps you will say, “Where find the talent to match the theme? Where find that freedom of our forefathers to write whatever the burning soul desired? What man is there that I dare not name? What matters it whether Mucius forgives my words or no? But just describe Tigellinus, and you will blaze amid those faggots in which men, with their throats tightly gripped, stand and burn and smoke, and you trace a broad furrow through the middle of the arena.

What! Is a man who has administered aconite to half a dozen uncles to ride by and look down upon me from his swaying cushions?” Yes, and when he comes near you, put your finger to your lip.

He who but says the word, “That’s the man,” will be counted an informer.

Herodias, read by Robin in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Tigellinus, a young Roman, read by Matthew Rees.

First

Jew, read by Frank

That seems strange to me.

I had thought it was but the Roman philosophers who slew themselves.

Is it not true, Tigellinus, that the philosophers at Rome slay themselves?

There be some who slay themselves, sire.

In the consulship of Publius Marius and Lucius Asinius, Antistius, the praetor, whose lawless behaviour as tribune of the people I have mentioned, composed some libellous verses on the emperor, which he openly recited at a large gathering when he was dining at the house of Vestorius Scapula.

He was upon this impeached of high treason by Cossutianus Capito, who had lately been restored to a senator's rank on the intercession of his father-in-law Tigellinus.

This was the first occasion on which the law of treason was revived, and men thought that it was not so much the ruin of Antistius which was aimed at, as the glory of the emperor, whose veto as tribune might save from death one whom the senate had condemned.

Though Vestorius had stated that he had heard nothing as evidence, The adverse witnesses were believed, and Junius Merulus, consul-elect, proposed that the accused should be deprived of his praetorship and be put to death in the ancient manner.

Many positively asserted that by Nero's order his throat was smeared with some poisonous drug under the pretense of the application of a remedy, and that Burrus, who saw through the crime when the emperor paid him a visit, recoiled with horror from his gaze, and merely replied to his question, I indeed am well.

Rome felt for him a deep and lasting regret, because of the remembrance of his worth, because too of the merely passive virtue of one of his successors, and the very flagrant iniquities of the other.

For the emperor had appointed two men to the command of the praetorian cohorts, Finius Rufus, for a vulgar popularity which he owed to his administration of the corn supplies without profit to himself, and Sophonius Tigellinus, whose inveterate shamelessness and infamy were an attraction to him.

As might have been expected from their known characters, Tigellinus had the greater influence with the prince, and was the associate of his most secret profligacy, while Rufus enjoyed the favor of the people and of the soldiers, and this, he found, prejudiced him with Nero.

In the consulship of Publius Marius and Lucius Asinius, Antistius, the praetor, whose lawless behaviour as tribune of the people I have mentioned, composed some libellous verses on the emperor, which he openly recited at a large gathering when he was dining at the house of Vestorius Scapula.

He was upon this impeached of high treason by Cossutianus Capito, who had lately been restored to a senator's rank on the intercession of his father-in-law Tigellinus.

This was the first occasion on which the law of treason was revived, and men thought that it was not so much the ruin of Antistius which was aimed at, as the glory of the emperor, whose veto as tribune might save from death one whom the senate had condemned.

Though Vestorius had stated that he had heard nothing as evidence, The adverse witnesses were believed, and Junius Merulus, consul-elect, proposed that the accused should be deprived of his praetorship and be put to death in the ancient manner.

Many positively asserted that by Nero's order his throat was smeared with some poisonous drug under the pretense of the application of a remedy, and that Burrus, who saw through the crime when the emperor paid him a visit, recoiled with horror from his gaze and merely replied to his question, I indeed am well.

Rome felt for him a deep and lasting regret because of the remembrance of his worth, because too of the merely passive virtue of one of his successors and the very flagrant iniquities of the other.

For the emperor had appointed two men to the command of the praetorian cohorts, Fineas Rufus, for a vulgar popularity which he owed to his administration of the corn supplies without profit to himself, and Sophonius Tigellinus, whose inveterate shamelessness and infamy were an attraction to him.

As might have been expected from their known characters, Tigellinus had the greater influence with the prince and was the associate of his most secret profligacy, while Rufus enjoyed the favor of the people and of the soldiers, and this, he found, prejudiced him with Nero.